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Automatic garage door maintenance

For an automatic garage door, test the auto-reverse every month: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says an automatic opener’s reversing feature should be tested monthly. Also check that the photo-eye sensors stop the door, and lubricate the rollers, hinges and springs a couple of times a year. Never adjust or remove the springs or cables yourself; they are under high tension.

Set reminders in the app

Automatic garage door maintenance

Checklist

  • Test the auto-reverse: lay a 2x4 flat in the door’s path and close the door; it should reverse on contactMonthly
  • Test the photo-eye: wave something through the beam while closing; the door should reverseMonthly
  • Watch and listen as it opens and closes: jerks, grinding, a sagging sideMonthly
  • Lubricate rollers, hinges, springs and the opener rail (use garage door lubricant)Twice a year
  • Check the bottom weather seal for cracks or gapsFall
  • Replace the remote and keypad batteriesYearly

Get reminders for these automatically: upnextmaint.com/get

If the door does not reverse

Stop using the opener to close the door until it is fixed. Check the photo-eyes first (dirty lenses or a bumped sensor are common), then follow the force and travel adjustment in the opener manual. If that does not fix it, call a garage door technician.

What to leave to a pro

Torsion springs (the big spring above the door), extension springs, cables and the bottom brackets hold a lot of tension and can cause serious injury. A broken spring, a frayed cable, or a door that will not stay halfway open are all jobs for a technician.

What you'll need

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Questions

How often should you test a garage door auto-reverse?

Monthly, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What should I use to lubricate a garage door?

A garage door lubricant (usually lithium or silicone spray). Avoid heavy grease, which collects dirt, and do not lubricate plastic rollers’ bearings unless the manufacturer says to.

How long do garage door springs last?

Commonly around 10,000 open-and-close cycles for standard torsion springs, roughly 7 to 10 years of normal use. Replacement is a job for a technician.

Sources

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General guidance for typical homes. Follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions and local codes, and hire a pro for anything you're not comfortable doing.