As spring arrives throughout Connecticut, it’s the ideal moment to ask— is your garage door prepared for the upcoming season? Following months of winter use and abuse, the early spring season is the best time for a tune-up that will avoid expensive repairs in the future. It’s also the best time to perform necessary home improvement work, such as garage door maintenance. Routine maintenance doesn’t only prevent surprise breakdowns; it can also prolong the life of your garage door, lower repair bills, and make your home safer, more energy-efficient, and more attractive.
At Double Time Garage Doors, we encourage homeowners to have their spring garage doors serviced every year. To assist you in getting underway, here’s a full checklist of what to check for, what can be repaired by yourself, and when to call the pros.
Why Spring Maintenance Is Important for Your Garage Door
Garage doors go through a lot in winter—cold weather, dampness, and even salt deposits can take their toll over time. Spring maintenance prevents issues from arising and keeps everything in good working order as temperatures increase.
By sticking to a yearly garage door maintenance schedule every spring, homeowners are able to:
- Eliminate noise and squeaky movement.
- Prevent mid-season failure.
- Enhance door safety for kids and animals.
- Improve curb appeal and home security.
- Provide smooth operation for the rest of the year.
Overall, regular spring maintenance keeps your garage door running efficiently and reliably year-round.
Spring 2025 Garage Door Maintenance Checklist
1. Visually Check All Parts of the Door
Begin with a general overview of your garage door and components. Look for rust, loose screws, warping, chipped paint, and wear and tear. Examine the panels, springs, cables, hinges, and tracks closely.
2. Test Door Balance and Alignment
Disconnect the opener by pulling on the emergency release cord. Lift the garage door manually halfway—if it remains there, it’s balanced. If it falls or rises, it’s probably off-balance and could be straining the motor or springs.
Don’t try to balance or adjust the springs yourself—these are high-tension parts.
3. Lubricate All Moving Parts
Use a silicone-based garage door lubricant on rollers, hinges, tracks, and springs. A smooth system means less friction, a quiet squeaky garage door, and longer life for your components.
Avoid using WD-40—it’s a cleaner, not lubricant.
4. Clean and Tighten Hardware
Garage doors travel hundreds of times per year. All that vibration will loosen hardware. Inspect and tighten bolts, brackets, and fasteners. Clean the metal tracks to take out debris, dust, and grime using a cloth and mild cleaner.
5. Inspect the Springs, Cables, and Rollers
These components are kept constantly under tension and are worn out gradually. Check for frayed cables, broken rollers, or corroded torsion springs. If everything appears damaged or worn out, contact a garage door professional for expert repair.
Pro Tip: Do not attempt to replace garage door springs yourself. It’s extremely dangerous and must always be left to certified technicians.
6. Check Safety Features and Auto-Reverse Sensors
Block the path of the door using an object or block and shut the door. When the door doesn’t reverse, the photo-eye sensors are likely misaligned or dirty. Clean the sensors with a soft material and ensure that they’re directed at each other.
7. Inspect Weatherstripping and Bottom Seal
Weatherstripping that is worn or cracked may allow pests, moisture, and dust in. A new seal enhances insulation and keeps your garage clean and safe. Replace it if it is brittle, torn, or gone.
8. Clean the Garage Door Surface
Wipe the door clean using a soap and water solution that is gentle. This flushes away dirt and salt deposit that was formed during winter and helps in maintaining the finish while keeping corrosion away, particularly if you own a steel or wooden door.
9. Try Out the Garage Door Opener
Pay attention to how your door opens and closes. If jerky, slow, or squeaky, then there could be a mechanical problem. Try out the remote and wall control and replace batteries if necessary. Now’s also the perfect time to think about moving to a smart garage door opener.
When to Call the Experts
While certain garage door maintenance work is safe for DIY, others—such as spring repair or cable replacement, opener repair, panel repair, or serious alignment problems—need professional training and equipment.
At Double Time Garage Doors, we provide trustworthy garage door tune-ups, spring repairs, and opener service throughout our local service areas. We serve residential and commercial properties and offer timely, expert assistance.
Book Your Spring Garage Door Service Today
Annual service keeps your garage door operating safely and effectively year-round. From a pesky garage door noise, worn-out spring, or simply a seasonal inspection, our professional technicians are at your service.
Don’t wait for a breakdown or safety issue to arise — book your spring garage door tune-up with Double Time Garage Doors today. Proudly serving Fairfield County, Connecticut, and surrounding areas with trusted, expert care. Need help or have questions? We’re just a call away and always happy to help.
