Get the Most Life Out of Your Garage Door Opener

A slow creaking door with a less than average safety standard–nobody wants their garage door opener to operate this way. While garage door openers do not need to be replaced often, it is important to know when the time comes to upgrade it. What are some of the signs that you should be aware of, and how can you het the most out of your own?

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Garage Door Opener?

As you drive in and out of your garage each day, the last thing on your mind are the parts that make up your garage door opener. This mechanism ensures that you always have a way to exit and enter, operating with a small motorized component. This motor is essential for the functionality of your garage door. According to Door Masters USA, which does garage door repair in Anaheim, CA, there are several things that might shorten its lifespan.

It is natural that wear and tear will become a factor in the declining function of your garage door opener. After being opened and closed hundreds of times, it is possible for your garage door to fall out of alignment, thus wearing out your opener. It is also possible for the moving parts to become slower and less functional due to not being lubricated. Luckily, these problems can be fixed fairly easily using tools that you likely have in your garage.

The average lifespan is around 10-15 years. If you have settled into your permanent residence, this means that you are going to have to replace your garage door opener several times throughout the years. This means that, in between, you should take care of the mechanics in order to preserve its functionality for as long as you can

Why Should You Replace the Opener?

Home blog The Spruce advises that there are several reasons to replace your garage door opener. In the the early 1990s, a safety mechanism was put into place that prevents the door from closing all the way if it senses movement. If your garage is older than this, it might not currently have this safety feature.

Noise can also be a contributing factor to making an upgrade. Old parts on your garage door opener might eventually lead to a squeaky door. Even if you do not want to replace the entire opener right away, replacing the chain could help silence the operation of the mechanics.

Consider the security of an older garage door opener versus a newer one. In the past, these openers were operated using a fixed code. This means that anyone who has the code could gain access to your garage. Now, a “rolling code” is utilized in newer models. This means that the code changes every time, making for a more secure entry.

In case of a power outage, older garage door openers will not work. This is an unfortunate downfall, because this means your car will be stuck inside (or outside) the garage in event that an evacuation takes place. Backup systems now exist with newer models, giving you the freedom to open your garage, even without power. These systems generate backup battery power that can last temporarily while you sit through a power outage.

Can You Make the Opener Last Longer?

If you are not quite ready to replace your garage door opener, there is plenty of DIY maintenance that you can do in order to keep it working at its best. The first step is to survey the equipment on a regular basis. A monthly inspection will help you ensure that everything is in working order. Of course, problems might not always appear visually. Some mechanical issues can only be recognized by sound, so pay attention to that as well.

There is a simple process that can be done to tune up your garage door opener, and it starts by unplugging the system so that it cannot be activated. Take a screwdriver and tighten all of the external hardware; you will be amazed at the difference this can make during operation. Using a lubrication spray, make sure that you coat all of the chains and belts. Once this has been completed, your garage door opener should be rejuvenated and at its prime.

For a more advanced DIY upgrade, you can replace some of the simple parts of the garage door. At the bottom of every garage door, there is a U-shaped astragal (a piece of rubber that seals the door shut). You can replace this to make your garage door seal better, as it wears down over time. Your local hardware store should be able to assist you with determining what size and width you will need. In order to complete this upgrade, all you will likely need is a simple screwdriver from your tool box.