Garage Door Openers Lifespan
How Long Do Garage Door Openers Last?
Your garage door opener is one of the most critical components of your garage door entry system. You use it when you pull your car out to go to work and when your kids want to get their bikes and toys out for some fun in the sun. If your garage door opener is working efficiently, you probably don’t think about it at all — until something goes wrong.
That’s why it’s important to know how long your garage door opener will last and how you can take better care of it.
Your garage door opener is the mechanical system that lifts and lowers your garage door and connects to other important components like torsion springs, tracks, and rollers. A garage door opener typically lasts between 10 and 15 years. However, the frequency of use, the type of opener you have, and how you maintain it can significantly impact its lifespan. Given the proper care and maintenance, your garage door opener can last a long time before needing to be replaced. With that in mind, there are a few factors that can either increase or decrease the lifespan of your operator.
Factors that Impact Garage Door Opener Lifespan
Your garage door opener is essential for convenient and secure access to your home, so understanding how to maximize its life is crucial. Several factors can affect the lifespan of garage door openers. Some of the main ones include:
These are just some factors that can impact the life expectancy of your opener. Different lifestyles and activity levels mean that your garage door may be used more or less than other garage doors. Ask yourself the following questions.
Frequency of Use
How often you use the opener will have a significant impact on how long it lasts. If you use your opener twice a day — when you pull your car out in the morning and pull it in the garage at night — your opener will most likely last you 10 to 15 years. However, if you’re opening the garage door several times a day for your car, the kids’ bikes, yard equipment and more, it will probably wear out a bit faster.
The more you use your garage door opener, the more wear and tear it experiences. Openers used constantly throughout the day, especially in busy households, will likely have a shorter lifespan than those used only once or twice a day. If you use your garage door frequently, you should opt for a heavy-duty model as your next replacement.
Type of Garage Door Opener
The type of opener you have significantly impacts longevity. You likely have one of the several main opener types, including chain drive, belt drive, jackshaft drive and screw drive openers. Each system has its own maintenance needs based on the number of parts it has, the way it functions and its strength.
The three systems are chain-driven, belt-driven and screw-driven. The screw drive openers are the noisiest type of opener, but it’s the easiest to maintain due to its small amount of parts. The belt drive garage door opener is the smoothest and quietest of the three since its driven by rubber belts. The chain-drive is the least expensive and requires a decent amount of maintenance. With each of these differences, the life expectancy can vary between the styles of operators you have installed. For example, belt-driven operators can last as long as 15-20 years compared to the average 10-15 years for a chain-drive operator model.
By performing the right kind of maintenance for your garage door opener, you can prolong its life expectancy. If you’re looking for a motor that will last without sacrificing any popular features, a belt-driven operator such as the Elite Series 870504-267 is a great option. This operator not only performs well, but also comes with 1080p video capabilities, wi-fi connectivity, and even a battery backup for power outages.
Other garage door opener styles can still go the distance such as the available chain-driven model, the Elise Series 8587W. While this operator doesn’t have all the video capabilities of the 870504-267, this residential operator comes packed with Security+ 2.0® features to keep your home secure for the long haul.
Maintenance Habits
Maintaining your opening system is crucial, especially if you use it often. It’s key to extending the garage door opener’s life expectancy. You should be regularly performing the following upkeep tasks:
- Inspect and tighten any loose nuts, bolts or screws.
- Lubricate chains, rollers and hinges to reduce friction and noise.
- Check the balance of your garage door to ensure it’s not putting unnecessary strain on the opener.
- Routinely check if the safety sensors are properly aligned and free from obstructions.
These kinds of services can keep the essential parts of your opener working efficiently for many years. You should also hire a trained technician to perform a routine tuneup. Professionals can catch potential issues quickly to save you from unexpected breakdowns and major repairs.
Lubricating the springs, hinges and rollers help keep parts from grinding, rubbing and wearing down. It’s best to do this in the winter and summer. If you have a chain-drive or belt-drive, you should check that the belt or chain is tight. You should also check nuts and bolts and tighten them if necessary. These kinds of services can keep the essential parts of your opener working efficiently for many years.
When Should You Replace Your Garage Door Opener?
Replace your garage door opener when it’s over 15 to 20 years old, malfunctions frequently or operates slowly and erratically. Other signs indicating that your may need a replacement or upgrade include:
- Loud noises
- Difficulty programming
- Lack of modern safety features
- Frequent repairs
Prioritize safety and convenience by upgrading to a newer model with enhanced security and smart home integration, like our dependable LiftMaster® openers.
Contact the Professionals for Garage Door Opener Maintenance
Your garage door opener is an investment you want to last as long as possible. If it’s making unusual sounds or it’s not working correctly, you might need repairs or a replacement. When that time comes, feel free to contact A Better Door Co., Inc. Our family-run business has served the Long Island area for decades. You can count on our team of garage door experts to make sure your door and its components are in good shape.
Contact us to learn more or request an estimate for garage door opener maintenance.
Garage Door Cable Maintenance & Replacement Guide
Garage Door Cable Maintenance and Replacement Guide
A broken garage door can be inconvenient, but more importantly, it can pose a safety hazard. Your garage door contains many parts that work together to lift the whole system. Garage door cables are critical components that lift and lower the door safely. Problems with these cables can cause issues for the entire door.
One of the essential pieces to your garage door opener is the cables. Maintaining and replacing these lines is critical to the smooth operation of your door.
Regular garage door cable maintenance and timely replacement are essential for preventing serious problems and ensuring smooth operation. This garage door cable guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cable upkeep, repair and when it’s time to call a professional.
Understanding Garage Door Cables
Garage door cables are vital components that work with the spring systems to lift and lower your door. They bear the door’s weight, allowing the garage door opener to move it effortlessly. The springs transfer energy to the cables. The cables, located on each side of the garage door, then pull the door up or lower it. There are two types of cables based on different spring systems:
- Torsion springs: The torsion springs store energy by coiling. When the spring transfers energy to a drum, the drum uncoils the cables to lower the garage door. The cables recoil when the door lifts.
- Extension springs: Extension springs store energy by extending. They run parallel to the garage floor, and they extend when the door closes to recharge. They have a pulley that contains a cable, which does the lifting or lowering of the door.
The steel cables are located on both sides of the door and connect to either torsion or extension spring systems. In torsion systems, the cables wrap around drums that turn as the springs wind up. In extension spring systems, the cables are attached to the bottom brackets and run through pulleys, which lift and lower the door.
Why Does Garage Door Cable Maintenance Matter?
Garage door cable maintenance is crucial for safety and preventing costly repairs. Since cables lift your heavy garage door, they are susceptible to wear and tear that can lead to snapping, causing the door to fall unexpectedly.
It’s important to regularly check for fraying, kinks and proper tension to make sure the door operates properly. Routine upkeep allows you to identify and address issues early to avoid more extensive damage to the door, springs and opener. It helps you save on costs in the long run and extends the lifespan of your garage doors. This also prevent accidents.
How to Maintain Garage Door Cables
Maintenance is one of the best ways to keep your door functioning optimally. To make sure your cables are in good condition, you should:
- Use lubricant sparingly because cables can accumulate dirt.
- Examine your cables for fraying and kinks.
- Ensure you keep your cables clean of dirt, grime and other particles over time.
- If you have extension springs, check your pulleys for wear and tear.
When to Replace Garage Door Cables
You may be wondering when you should replace garage door cables. The lifespan of your lines will depend on their quality. It’s a good idea to examine them once a year. Cables carry a heavy responsibility, and sometimes malfunctions happen. Consider replacing your cables if:
- A cable has snapped or broken.
- There is unbalanced tension between the cables on each side of the garage door.
- The cables are unwound.
- The cables are fraying.
While some people attempt to replace or reattach their garage door cables on their own, doing so can be difficult and dangerous. Incorrectly installing them could lead to problems later on, too. It’s best to get your garage door cables replaced by a professional.
Contact A Better Door Co., Inc for Garage Door Maintenance Services
Your garage door depends on quality replacement work. For reliable cable replacement and other services you can trust, contact A Better Door Co., Inc. We have decades of experience serving homeowners in the Long Island area, specifically Nassau and Suffolk counties. Our dedicated team is prepared to service your home.
To get started, fill out a contact form or request an estimate today!