Do Electric Garage Doors Require Regular Servicing?
Electric garage doors require regular servicing to ensure they remain safe, reliable and fully operational.
Routine maintenance of the motorised components is crucial to prevent malfunctions, enhance safety, and extend the lifespan of the door.
At West Midlands Garage Doors, we supply electric garage doors from established manufacturers such as Hörmann and Cardale, selected to suit your property, usage requirements and budget.
This buyers guide explains the importance of regular servicing, what maintenance typically involves, and the warning signs indicating a electric garage door may need servicing.
What Are Electric Garage Doors?
Electric garage doors are garage doors that open and close using a motorised operating system, removing the need for manual lifting.
An electric motor powers the door, guiding it smoothly along tracks or rails for controlled, reliable operation.
Most electric garage doors are controlled using a remote control, wall-mounted switch, keypad or smart home system, making them a convenient and secure solution for modern homes.
They are available in a wide range of options including electric roller garage doors and various styles such as insulated electric garage doors, allowing homeowners to choose a solution that suits their practical and design requirements.
Why Do Electric Garage Doors Need Servicing?
Electric garage doors are made up of moving mechanical parts and electrical components, that naturally wear overtime.
Without regular maintenance, this wear can affect performance, reliability and safety.
Regular servicing provides:
- Reduced risk of sudden breakdowns
- Early detection of worn or failing components
- Smooth, quiet operation
- Fully functional safety features
- Prevention of costly repairs
Regular servicing ensures your electric garage door continues to operate safely, smoothly and reliably.
Why Do Electric Motors Need Servicing?
Motors sit at the heart of the electric garage door system, controlling how smoothly the door opens and closes, how safely it operates and how long the entire system will last.
Therefore regular, professional servicing is required to maintain performance.
Key benefits of motor servicing:
Prevent Unexpected Breakdowns
Without regular servicing, internal components will wear unnoticed.
Electrical components can loosen, with small faults leading to sudden motor failure.
Servicing will help identify the issues early, preventing inconvenient and costly breakdowns.
Protect Safety Systems
Safety features including obstacle detection, auto-reverse functions and force-limiting controls may respond slowly without regular servicing or fail to activate.
Extends Motor Lifespan
A well-maintained motor will operate with less strain, running at the correct force and speed.
This results in less internal wear, adding years to its lifespan and delaying the need for expensive replacement.
Maintain Smooth and Quiet Operation
Unserviced motors become noisy, jerky and inconsistent in movement.
Service technicians will adjust force and limit settings, checking the alignment and balance as well lubricating the relevant moving components.
Ensure Door Balance
Imbalanced electric garage doors force the motor to work harder than necessary, causing overheating, gear damage and premature failure.
Reduce Long-Term Repair Costs
Replacing an electric garage door motor is significantly more expensive than routine servicing.
Servicing will avoid emergency callouts, reduce the risk of major component failure and catch minor electrical issues before they escalate.
What Happens During an Electric Garage Door Service?
A professional service inspects both mechanical and electrical systems to ensure safe, reliable operation.
Key steps typically include:
- Visual and Structural Inspection: The technician examines door panels, fixings and bracings for signs of wear, corrosion or misalignment, ensuring the structure is secure.
- Mechanical Component Check: Springs, hinges, rollers and tracks are inspected for wear and are lubricated where necessary to reduce friction, noise and strain.
- Door Balance and Alignment: The door is tested to ensure it opens and closes evenly, is properly balanced and does not place unnecessary strain on the motor.
- Motor and Electrical System Inspection: All electrical components are checked for secure mounting, including the control board, remote controls, wall switches and any battery backup systems.
- Safety System Testing: Safety systems are fully tested, including auto-reverse functionality, obstacle detection and the manual emergency release.
- Seals, Weather Protection and Final Testing: The bottom seals and weather strips are inspected and the door’s operation and locking mechanism are tested to confirm everything works correctly.
Signs Your Electric Garage Door Needs Servicing
While annual servicing is recommended for your electrical garage door, certain warning signs indicate that a professional technician may be needed sooner.
These include:
- Difficulty opening or closing the door
- Increase in noise made when the electric door is opened
- The door fails to open when the motor is running
- Locks are not working as they should
- Remote control malfunctions
- Safety sensors not responding properly.
If your electric garage door displays any of these warning signs, contact our professional technicians today to schedule a reliable and trusted service.
Can You Service an Electrical Garage Door Yourself?
Whilst homeowners can perform basic maintenance on electric garage doors, full servicing should always be left to a qualified professional. Simple tasks you can safely handle include:
- Keeping tracks clean to prevent debris from affecting door movement.
- Visually inspecting cables and fixings for signs of wear or damage.
- Testing auto reverse functions to ensure safety features are working correctly.
- Replacing remote control batteries to maintain consistent operation.
However, more complex tasks such as adjusting motor settings, inspecting springs or testing electrical systems, require professional expertise to ensure safety and proper operation.
West Midlands Garage Doors: Expert Servicing for Electric Garage Doors
At West Midlands Garage Doors we offer a range of electric garage doors, available in various types and styles including, bi-fold, roller and insulated doors.
With decades of experience, our trusted team has a deep understanding of different styles, spaces and budgets, helping you find the perfect garage door to suit your home or property.
We know the importance of investing in reliable, long-lasting garage doors which is why we provide expert servicing, maintenance and repairs to keep your doors safe, functional and hassle-free for years to come.
Get in touch now to schedule a service or discover the ideal electric garage door for your property.