Your garage door is one of the most frequently used systems in your home. For many Melbourne households, it opens and closes multiple times every day, often becoming the primary entry point to the property.
Despite this frequent use, garage doors are commonly overlooked until a problem develops. Unfortunately, waiting until something breaks can lead to more expensive repairs, unexpected inconvenience, and even safety risks.
Regular servicing is one of the most effective ways to keep a garage door operating reliably while extending its lifespan. But how often should a garage door actually be serviced?
A garage door system contains numerous moving parts that work together under significant tension and load.
These components include:
Over time, normal wear and tear affects these parts. Without regular inspections and maintenance, minor issues can develop into major repairs.
Routine servicing helps ensure the entire system continues operating safely and efficiently.
For the average Melbourne homeowner, professional garage door servicing should be performed at least once per year.
Annual servicing allows technicians to:
This preventative approach significantly reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.
Many manufacturers also recommend annual servicing to maintain warranty coverage.
Some households use their garage door far more frequently than average.
For example:
In these situations, servicing every six months may be beneficial.
The more cycles a garage door completes, the faster components such as springs, rollers, and motors will wear.
Regular inspections help manage this increased usage.
Commercial roller doors and industrial access systems often operate dozens or even hundreds of times each day.
Because of this higher workload, commercial systems generally require more frequent servicing than residential doors.
Many businesses schedule maintenance every three to six months depending on usage levels.
Regular servicing helps minimise downtime and protects workplace safety.
Regardless of when the last service was completed, certain warning signs indicate that professional attention may be required immediately.
These include:
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more extensive damage over time.
Garage door springs are among the most heavily stressed components in the system.
Every opening and closing cycle places tension on the springs. Over time, this repeated stress eventually leads to wear and fatigue.
During servicing, technicians inspect springs for:
Identifying spring problems early helps avoid sudden failures that can leave the garage door inoperable.
Many homeowners assume garage door motors require no maintenance.
While modern motors are generally reliable, they still benefit from regular inspection.
Servicing may include:
Early detection of motor problems can prevent complete system failures.
Modern garage doors include important safety features designed to protect people and property.
These systems include:
A professional service ensures these features continue operating correctly.
Faulty safety systems can increase the risk of injury and should never be ignored.
Melbourne experiences a wide range of weather conditions throughout the year.
Garage doors may be exposed to:
These environmental conditions can affect:
Regular servicing helps identify weather-related wear before it impacts performance.
A comprehensive garage door service typically includes:
This thorough inspection helps ensure reliable and safe operation.
Some homeowners question whether regular servicing is necessary if the door appears to be functioning normally.
The reality is that preventative maintenance often costs significantly less than emergency repairs.
Regular servicing can:
Like servicing a vehicle, routine maintenance helps prevent larger and more expensive problems in the future.
The best approach for most Melbourne homeowners is to schedule annual garage door servicing as part of their regular home maintenance routine.
For high-use residential properties and commercial facilities, more frequent inspections may be appropriate.
By addressing wear early and maintaining critical components, homeowners can enjoy reliable garage door operation for many years while reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.
A professionally maintained garage door is safer, more reliable, and ultimately far more cost-effective than waiting for problems to occur.
