Garage Door Maintenance: Keep Your Door Running Smoothly

Regular maintenance of your garage doors can keep them operating properly for years after installation or after you purchase your home. Many simpler maintenance tasks are well within your grasp if you have a basic toolkit and ladder at home.

Fast & Free quotes from garage door companies in your area

Garage Door Maintenance Essentials

Certain garage door maintenance tasks, like spring replacement and full track replacements, should always be handled by a professional. That said, there are plenty of items on this list that you can handle with your home toolkit:

  • Visual Inspection Guidelines: Routine inspections each year can help you to spot issues like misaligned tracks, weakened springs and rust buildup.
  • Lubrication Fundamentals: Applying lithium grease to tracks and rollers can repel water and keep your garage door rust-free for years.
  • Hardware Tightening Basics: Chain and garage door tightening can keep your opening mechanism from straining or damaging your door or tracks. 
  • Balance Testing: Regularly having your garage door’s weight distribution checked will help ensure that your springs don’t wear quickly or snap unexpectedly.
  • Obstacle Detection Testing: Some door systems come with built-in obstacle detection features; routine garage door safety checks are a vital part of DIY maintenance. 
  • Weather Seal Checks: Testing the bottoms and sides of your doors for drafts or water leaks can keep your garage and possessions free from damage and away from the elements.
  • Remote Testing Protocol: Fully testing your open, close and reverse features are an easy DIY garage door maintenance task.
  • Seasonal Maintenance: This is a catch-all for DIY maintenance which includes cleaning all components, lubricating tracks and checking your weather stripping before and after winter.

You can check out our expert’s guide to DIY garage door repair for more advice on maintaining and servicing your garage door.

Garage Door Lubrication Guide

garage repair service provider repairing a garage door track
new garage door opening

Garage Door Weather Seal Maintenance

Functional PVC weather stripping on the sides and bottom of your doors is a vital component in garage door winterization. If you have HVAC components in your garage, these affordable components can conserve energy and prevent interior damage.

Garage Door Spring & Hardware Maintenance

Garage service worker repairing garage door track and springs
garage door opening, view from outside after garage door opener repair

Garage Door Opener Maintenance

Common Questions About Garage Door Maintenance

Garage door tune-ups include a surprising number of components for many homeowners. We’ve answered a few common maintenance questions here.:

We recommend lubricating your garage door’s moving parts every six months. If you live by a shoreline, or in an area with more extreme weather patterns, you may want to do this every three or four months.

This entirely depends on the type of maintenance being performed. You can handle routine inspections, cleaning, lubrication and minor track repairs on your own. We recommend that you outsource any chain, spring or electrical repairs to a licensed professional.

Precision Garage Door lists the cost of typical maintenance or repairs between $100 and $300, depending on the type of repair required.

Professional tune-ups and preventative garage door maintenance include lubrication and cleaning, balance inspection, opener inspections, weather strip checks and tightening of all hardware. Tune-up packages can vary depending on the repair companies operating near you.

Garage door inspections and routine tune-ups most often take between one and two hours. The exact time will depend on the size, condition and accessibility of your doors.

Tips and Expert Advice for Your Garage

Stay informed with expert advice on garage door maintenance, garage door service, garage door replacement, and upgrades. Explore our blog for guides, troubleshooting tips, and more.

Bright suburban home with classic architecture and multiple garage doors

Standard Garage Door Sizes

Navigating the world of garage door sizes can be overwhelming, from single and double door dimensions to specialized sizes for RVs and boats. Standard garage doors are usually 7-8 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. Whether you’re renovating, building, or simply curious, find the perfect garage door size for your home and vehicle with our detailed charts and measurement tips.
A white car parked in front of garage during winter snowfall.

Garage Door Seal: Complete Guide to Types, Benefits and Installation

Protect your garage from the elements and improve energy efficiency with the right garage door seal. This guide covers various types of seals, including garage door weather stripping, bottom seals, and threshold seals, providing installation tips and maintenance advice. Choose the best garage door weather seal replacement to keep out pests, water, and drafts.
Garage door rollers and track, white aluminum garage door

Garage Door Track Replacement Cost: Complete Price Guide

Garage door track replacement costs typically range from $200 to $450, influenced by factors like track material, door size, and local labor rates; signs of needed replacement include bent tracks, excessive noise, or the garage door being off track. Professional garage door track installation is recommended for severe damage, ensuring safety and proper functioning of the garage door system.