Noticing that your commercial garage door may require repair is essential to avoid major disruptions. When a garage door malfunctions, it can pose a significant inconvenience until it’s rectified. If you don’t have a professional overhead door repair team on call, this could disrupt your business for days. That’s why proactive prevention is key to ensure the uninterrupted operation of your overhead doors.

Regular maintenance performed by experienced overhead door installers is a valuable practice. It not only ensures the long-term functionality of your roll-up doors but also allows you to detect issues early. Regular inspections and repairs prevent problems from potentially causing complete door failure.

Thankfully, broken overhead doors typically don’t manifest suddenly. Instead, they often provide warning signals before experiencing a complete breakdown. Recognizing these distress signals can help you take timely action on your garage door and prevent costly downtime and inconveniences. Here are a few warning signs to watch (and listen) for:

Your garage door is making odd noises

It’s often obvious when a machine, be it a garage door, car engine, or washing machine, begins making new and unusual noises during operation. It typically serves as a clear indicator that professional door maintenance or repair is necessary.

It’s important to note that any garage door, whether manual or mechanized, will generate some noise when opening and closing. Belt openers, for example, tend to be quieter than chain drive openers and often operate more smoothly. As a responsible owner, it’s crucial to become familiar with the usual sounds of your overhead door.

If you notice any unusual or new noises, such as grinding or squealing, it’s advisable not to dismiss them. They may signify the need for routine maintenance. This can be as easy as lubricating moving overhead door hardware like springs, hinges, and rollers. However, these sounds could also indicate more substantial issues. In either case, seeking professional assessment is recommended to support the continued operation of your garage door.

Your overhead door looks uneven or sags

Over time, your garage door, like everything else in the world, will show the effects of gravity, and may start to droop a little. If you notice this happening, you should address it sooner rather than later, as it could eventually result in the door’s becoming unbalanced. And this could lead to more damage, or even pose a safety hazard.
Ignoring a crooked overhead door and continuing to use it has a lot more complicated than yanking that bedroom door that always sticks in the heat of summer back and forth. An unbalanced overhead garage door will cause a cascade of damage, resulting in way more door repair costs, and additional costs of downtime for your business. Worst case scenario a sagging door could cause enough damage that you’ll need to replace the whole garage door.

There’s excessive vibration when the door is operated

Again, any automatic garage door will shake a little when it’s being opened or closed, even when it’s brand new. But if you notice that the door seems to be shuddering or vibrating more than usual, this could be a sign that your rollers have gotten off center, screws have worked loose, or you have some other problem that is only going to get worse if it’s ignored.

Regular maintenance will help keep your commercial garage door working smoothly. Simple tasks like regularly inspecting bolts on the overhead door and its infrastructure to make sure nothing has worked itself loose. Or cleaning the tracks and lubricating the hinges. There’s no substitute for vigilance.

Slow or clunky roll-up door operation can tell you the motor isn’t happy

Slow or hesitant operation of a garage door can indicate underlying issues that need attention. When an overhead door starts operating slower than usual, it may be a sign of motor problems. This could be something as simple as a worn-out motor or a motor that needs lubrication. Additionally, problems with the tracks, such as misalignment or debris buildup, can cause the door to move hesitantly. Damaged or worn-out rollers can also contribute to the slow operation of the door. Your electrical can also be giving up on the door opener. Check your wiring as well as your plugs to make sure that everything is in working order. If anything needs to be replaced during this time, you should take the opportunity to install a garage door battery backup system. It’ll keep your overhead door working even when the power gives up on it.

Leaving Issues Unresolved Can Cause Your Garage Door to Breakdown Completely

Addressing this issue promptly is crucial to avoid a complete breakdown of your commercial door. If left unattended, the problem may worsen over time, leading to more extensive and costly repairs. It is recommended to consult a professional garage door technician who can diagnose the issue. They’ll diagnose the slow operation and provide the necessary repairs or maintenance. By addressing the issue early on, you can ensure that your commercial overhead door continues to function.

If you see any of the above warning symptoms on your overhead door and haven’t been able to resolve the issue with some simple maintenance, having the door checked out by a qualified service technician can save you trouble down the line.