Make Your Opener Last by Surpassing Your Garage Door Opener Warranty!
Utilizing your garage door opener warranty is great… A garage door opener surviving past its warranty is even better because that means the opener is compatible with your garage door, and its fixed equipment like the motor, circuit, and transmitter have all been successful too. However, like all things mechanical, garage door openers are simply not designed to last forever.
Perhaps you love your current garage door opener because it is incredibly convenient. Maybe you live by the mentality that “if it isn’t broken, why fix it?” Or maybe you land on the complete opposite end, and switch out your opener each time there’s a new technological advancement.
Garage door openers typically last between 10-15 years. Why the five-year gap? We’ll address that and so much more in the sections below. This article discusses ways to save you money by ensuring your garage door opener lasts the longest without relying on company warranties.
Ways to Exceed Your Garage Door Opener Warranty
1. Start With A Professional Garage Door Inspection
The first step towards making sure your garage door opener lasts longer than its product warranty is to schedule a professional garage door inspection from Grease Monkey Garage Doors. One of our industry experts can tell you the status of your current system, and help declare if your garage door opener has many years left or not.
If you’ve been the home or business owner from the beginning of the opener’s life, then you can move on to the next step.
2. Pay Attention To How Your Garage Door Operates
Garage door openers are designed to provide warning signs if there’s a problem. If your garage door refuses to open, the trick is to figure out what your garage door opener is trying to tell you. Make sure nothing is blocking your garage door’s safety eye sensors located at the base, and clear away any objects, dirt, or debris. Then, notice if there is a blinking light in the garage door opener.
A blinking light in the garage door opener generally indicates one of two specific problems: either there is an issue with the lock button or a problem with a reversing sensor.
A Brief on Garage Door Opener History
Garage door openers used to send signals in the form of radio frequencies to communicate with the server. The receiver unit in the garage door opener is designed to listen for incoming signals on a specific frequency. When it receives a signal that matches the programmed code, it interprets the signal as a command to open, close, or stop the garage door’s movement.
3. Be Careful Not To Void Your Current Garage Door Opener Warranty
The reason your garage door opener didn’t last as long as you hoped could be that it wasn’t properly maintained or the opener contained faulty parts. Similar to cars requiring the manufacturer to handle a safety recall, there are more than a few cases where your opener could be a faulty one.
Major industry-leading companies like LiftMaster and Genie have a garage door opener warranty in place for this reason. Avoid taking apart your current garage door opener yourself if you notice a problem. Any D.I.Y. or lack of professional garage door repair altogether could void your eligibility for product warranty, and new replacement.
4. Balance Your Door
One of the many routine checks Grease Monkey Garage Doors performs for garage door maintenance is balancing your door. After the initial thorough inspection, our experts use specialty equipment to ensure that your garage door opener isn’t lifting more than it should. We ensure both sides of your garage door are equal so that your garage door springs, cables, and other supporting components are kept in great shape.
5. Ensure Every Moving Part is Properly Lubricated
A continuation of the previous entry, scheduling garage door maintenance also entails necessary lubrication to all moving parts of your garage door system. If the rollers, tracks, springs, and cables are being ignored, this puts a significant strain on your opener. To extend the life of your garage door opener, it is crucial that you apply silicone-based lubricant to all moving mechanisms at least twice a year, or before a major season change.
If you are not comfortable maintaining your garage door springs between service appointments, a professional is more than happy to do it for you.
6. Understand Opener Types & Their Differences
It’s important to understand that not all garage door openers are created equal. Here are some of the most popular garage door opener types and their differences:
Chain Drive: A chain-drive garage door opener operates on a metal chain along with a rail and trolley. Because of this simple construction, chain drive openers tend to be noisier and have a more involved maintenance routine.
Belt Drive: Running on a rubber belt, belt drive openers create minimal vibrations for a smooth, almost silent garage door operation. Due to this desirable quality, this allows for many years of durability.
Wall Mount: Attaching directly to the garage door springs, wall mount openers are designed to take on heavier doors. These openers also greatly contrast to its counterparts due to their installment next to the door rather than overhead.
Newer Security Features To Consider
Do newer garage door openers provide new features you’d like to take advantage of? Of course they do! Newer models can allow you to use your smartphone or a tablet to operate the garage door. New and improved models also come with battery backups so that even if there’s a power outage, you can still operate your garage door opener.
Given that 15 years is a long relationship to have with your opener, when it’s time to consider garage door opener installation, a great replacement is in store.
Schedule An Appointment With Grease Monkey Garage Doors!
Grease Monkey Garage Doors has years of service experience, and has encountered all possible levels of garage door opener care. A garage door opener warranty is great, but let’s make your garage door product last longer than factory or company warranty! We can help make the difference between a home or business owner who cares about their garage door operating system, and a more knowledgeable garage door owner who understands exactly how their garage door operates. Make your garage door opener last and schedule an appointment with Grease Monkey Garage Doors today!
