Raleigh Garage Door Opener: How long do they last?
How long should a typical Raleigh garage door opener last? You may be asking yourself this question because your garage door operator started “acting up” or parts on the operator started failing. According to a survey done by the National Association of Home Builders, based on responses from manufacturers, trade associations, and product researchers the average life expectancy of a garage door operator is 10 years.
You might be thinking ten years isn’t a very long time. In fact, you’re right. Do keep in mind though, this is an average. There are a lot of factors that lead to the quality life of a garage door opener. The most important factor though in determining how long an opener might last is how well the garage door works.
A poorly maintained garage door is going to shorten the life of the garage door opener faster than anything else. The springs on the garage door are engineered to do most of the lifting of the door not the operator. The garage door opener is used to put the door in motion. If the springs aren’t doing their job, the operator will work harder than it was designed to do. A poorly balanced door causes the garage door opener to wear out much faster. The parts will need replacing much sooner.
Here are two tips to help you keep your Raleigh garage door in shape. These tips will also help extend the life of your garage opener. A reminder: if you are not comfortable or unable to do adjustments to your garage door please call your favorite garage door specialists. We will provide maintenance work for you.
- Check The Door’s Balance: A door that is balanced properly will reduce the bulk of the strain on the garage door opener. A garage door specialist states, “You’ll need to pull the red disconnect cord on the trolley (do this while the door is in the closed position). This will release the trolley so the door can be opened and closed manually. You should be able to lift the door half way and it will stay there. If the door slams back to the floor then spring tension needs to be added and if the door flies open then the spring tension needs to be reduced.’ The springs can be very dangerous and cause injury. It’s a best to let Hanson Overhead of Raleigh do the balancing and adjusting, as needed.
- Grease The Door: lubrication of the moving parts on the door will make the door work smoother. Grease the hinges, rollers, springs and pulleys to ensure that they can move easily. A silicone based lubricant will work best. Anything else will get sticky and attract dirt.
Annual maintenance should be done to extend the life of your Raleigh garage door and its opener. By showing a little attention to the door and opener you’ll get a few more years out of them. You’ll also have peace of mind, knowing that they are working properly and safely.