Garage doors do a lot of heavy lifting on a day-to-day basis, which means that they will eventually need maintenance and repairs to stay in full working condition. How do you know when your garage door needs service? One of the telltale signs is that it takes longer to open and close.
Here’s a look at some of the reasons why your garage door opener is slow and how to fix a slow garage door.
How Long Should It Take for My Garage Door to Open and Close?
How long should it normally take for a garage door to open and close? The average is between 12 to 15 seconds. Most garage doors will be able to fully complete opening and closing cycles within that range. If you find that your garage door is taking closer to 20 seconds (or longer) to open or close, it’s time to get the door checked.
Service When Your Garage Door Slows Down
The most common slow opening garage door fix is lubrication. Without proper lubrication, your garage door’s many parts have to work overtime during opening and closing cycles, which makes those processes take longer than normal. Also, as your garage door is used day-in and day-out, over time, pulleys can also become worn and springs can lose tension — which also slows down operating speed.
If you’re wondering how to fix a slow garage door, start by lubricating all tracks, brackets and hinges. Once you’ve fully lubricated those parts, test the door to see if it’s moving faster. Some garage door models have speed setting controls. If your door has these controls, make sure they haven’t been adjusted in a way that noticeably slows your garage door.
If neither lubrication nor speed control settings fix the problem, it’s time to call a professional. A professional garage door service provider can check your door’s pulleys and springs to see if there’s a more complex issue that needs repair. It’s never a good idea for a homeowner to get into these more intensive maintenance and repair tasks. Garage doors operate under a massive amount of tension, and it requires specialized knowledge and expertise to safely and effectively provide maintenance and repairs.
Get Your Garage Door Serviced Regularly
At Custom Overhead Doors, we the best garage door products as well as maintenance and repair services. We know just how important your garage door and its operation is to your day-to-day lifestyle. Our technicians can quickly identify the reasons your garage door opener is slow — and then make recommendations for how to correct the issue.
Since 1989, we have proudly served home and business owners in Raleigh, Greenville, Greensboro, and Fayetteville. For all your garage door needs, trust the team and the experience you’ll find at Custom Overhead Doors.
Contact us today about maintenance and repairs for slow garage doors.
