Garage doors and openers work on very simple principles of mechanics, however, the majority of home owners do not have the tools, knowledge, or experience to install and service the various types available on the market today. Experience is exceptionally important when servicing garage door components for reasons of safety.
Almost all of the garage doors installed in residential buildings are made up of separate panels set on top of other panels. Above these sectional doors panels are usually two torsion springs coiled around a horizontal bar mounted on the header. The purpose of these springs is to act as a counter balance to the weight of the door itself. Without these springs, it is quite likely that the home owner or garage door opener would be unable to lift the door to open it. Extension springs may be present near the horizontal door tracks as well.
The easiest and best method for the home owner to test the torsion spring is to disengage the door opener by pulling on the manual/emergency release handle. Make sure that the door is completely open or in the closed position. Once done, manually move the door into a position where the bottom edge is about chest level. The door should remain near that position without traveling up or down a great distance on its own. A door which slams shut on its own is an indicator that the torsion springs may need adjusting.
A word of caution: these springs are under immense tension and can be very dangerous to adjust by the home owner. For safety reasons the door manufacturers and installers recommend to the home owner not to attempt to make adjustments to these components. Should the door opener be unable to lift the door or begin to sound strained during operation, the torsion springs may need adjustment by a professional installer. It is worth the small service charge rather than risking serious injury or death.
Over time humidity and age will cause the torsion springs to become dry. The maintenance a home owner can perform, which is considered safe, is to lightly oil the torsion springs as they become noisier with use. Oiling the springs will not only protect the metal from moisture, but also reduce friction which will save the hardware from greater wear and tear. If the garage door opener is of the traditional chain drive variety it will be necessary to oil the chain just as one would do with a bicycle chain. Many people can also lubricate the rollers attached to the garage door, the hinges and track. Basic household oil or graphite can be used to lubricate moving parts at the contact points. Grease is not advisable due to the viscosity and the messiness factor. Some of the rollers on the market are advertised as maintenance-free or self lubricating and may not need any additional attention. If at times a roller does need to be replaced, it is best to call a garage door installer or take the roller to a home improvement store to ensure an exact match and size.
Assuming basic proper maintenance is performed regularly, a home owner can expect the door components and garage door opener to last for several years beyond a non-maintained door. Even though some garage doors installed can be as low as $600, at an average $1000 to $1200 for an installed garage door, it obviously makes sense to take care of this home investment.
For additional information on the topic of garage doors and garage door openers visit www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com.
Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflec the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.
Almost all of the garage doors installed in residential buildings are made up of separate panels set on top of other panels. Above these sectional doors panels are usually two torsion springs coiled around a horizontal bar mounted on the header. The purpose of these springs is to act as a counter balance to the weight of the door itself. Without these springs, it is quite likely that the home owner or garage door opener would be unable to lift the door to open it. Extension springs may be present near the horizontal door tracks as well.
The easiest and best method for the home owner to test the torsion spring is to disengage the door opener by pulling on the manual/emergency release handle. Make sure that the door is completely open or in the closed position. Once done, manually move the door into a position where the bottom edge is about chest level. The door should remain near that position without traveling up or down a great distance on its own. A door which slams shut on its own is an indicator that the torsion springs may need adjusting.
A word of caution: these springs are under immense tension and can be very dangerous to adjust by the home owner. For safety reasons the door manufacturers and installers recommend to the home owner not to attempt to make adjustments to these components. Should the door opener be unable to lift the door or begin to sound strained during operation, the torsion springs may need adjustment by a professional installer. It is worth the small service charge rather than risking serious injury or death.
Over time humidity and age will cause the torsion springs to become dry. The maintenance a home owner can perform, which is considered safe, is to lightly oil the torsion springs as they become noisier with use. Oiling the springs will not only protect the metal from moisture, but also reduce friction which will save the hardware from greater wear and tear. If the garage door opener is of the traditional chain drive variety it will be necessary to oil the chain just as one would do with a bicycle chain. Many people can also lubricate the rollers attached to the garage door, the hinges and track. Basic household oil or graphite can be used to lubricate moving parts at the contact points. Grease is not advisable due to the viscosity and the messiness factor. Some of the rollers on the market are advertised as maintenance-free or self lubricating and may not need any additional attention. If at times a roller does need to be replaced, it is best to call a garage door installer or take the roller to a home improvement store to ensure an exact match and size.
Assuming basic proper maintenance is performed regularly, a home owner can expect the door components and garage door opener to last for several years beyond a non-maintained door. Even though some garage doors installed can be as low as $600, at an average $1000 to $1200 for an installed garage door, it obviously makes sense to take care of this home investment.
For additional information on the topic of garage doors and garage door openers visit www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com.
Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflec the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.
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