Overtime, your garage door begins to experience wear and tear, which may cause it to stop working or collapse completely. This is why garage door maintenance is extremely important. Whether you have been maintaining your garage door opener or not, check out these four mistakes you must avoid.

Mistake #1: Failing to Run Tests

Testing your garage door doesn't mean opening it when you want to park your car. Most likely, you are paying more attention to driving than the door. This is why you need to test your garage door about once a year. Testing the door is as simple as opening and closing it a few time, but you need to pay attention to the door as it moves. Watch for sagging or slow movement, and listen for strange noises, such as grinding.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Clean and Lubricate

If you do notice the garage door is sagging or sticking on one side, there may be something stuck in the track. Of course, even if your door isn't showing any symptoms, it's a good idea to frequently clean the track and rollers. Don't forget to lubricate them too. In fact, you should lubricate any moving part. Parts that need lubrication may cause the strange noises you hear when the door opens and closes. Make sure to avoid using gummy lubricants like grease as it can make things worse by clogging the parts with debris. Use an aerosol spray because it penetrates deep and doesn't attract dust or dirt.

Mistake #3: Ignoring the Sensors

During your test, you should also check the sensors. In fact, if the door won't even close during your test, it may mean there is something wrong with the sensors. For safety reasons, automatic garage doors have a sensor that shines a beam across the length of the garage door to another sensor. If this beam is interrupted, the door doesn't close. This prevents the door from closing if an animal, object or person is standing in the way. However, dirty or damaged sensors can affect the beam. Make sure your sensors are clean and aligned.

Mistake #4: Replacing Extension Springs Yourself

Garage doors with extension springs have a spring running parallel along each side of the garage door. When the door opens and closes, the spring extends or shrinks. If the door won't open, there may be damage to the spring. However, replacing extension springs or the safety cables than run through them is extremely dangerous because they are under a lot of pressure. It's best to contact a professional to prevent damage, injury or even death.

You should maintain your garage door to prevent serious damage or injury when a major problem arises. Just make sure you aren't making these four common mistakes. If you believe you need garage door repairs or you need your springs replaced, contact a garage door specialist in your area today.