Is Your Garage Door Slow? What You Need To Know

21 December 2020
 Categories: , Blog

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When you enter your driveway, you expect to simply press a button and open your garage. When the door does not open properly, it can be especially frustrating. Over time, you may notice that your garage door starts to slow down as you open it. There are a variety of reasons why this might be happening. Here are some things you can try to repair the issue.

Adjust the Speed Dial

A new garage door that is opening slowly may just need an adjustment to the speed dial. Garage doors have a dial that impacts the speed of the door as it opens and closes. If your garage door is new and has always been slow, chances are the speed dial is still at the factory setting. The factory setting is typically set at the slowest speed. You simply need to locate the speed dial and adjust it to your desired rate of speed.

Lubricate the Door Mechanism

Because garage doors have so many moving parts, it is best to lubricate them regularly, typically every few months. If you do not lubricate the moving parts of your garage door, the parts will stiffen and not move as they should. The door will eventually slow down as you open and close it. If your door is not moving as fast as it should, lubricate the springs, tracks, rollers, and hinges with some silicone spray or other lubricant of your choice.

Make Sure the Components Are Not Damaged

If your door is not opening as fast as it should, check the components for damage. Over time, different components can get dented or worn-out, particularly in the track system. The tracks can get loose because of the constant opening and closing of the door. If there is damage to the tracks, the rollers cannot properly glide as fast as they normally do. This can be causing the door to open and close slowly. If you do see damage, you may be able to bend it back into the proper shape. However, severe damage will require a replacement track system.

Check the Motor

In addition to these issues, you may just have a motor that is starting to go bad. You may begin to notice a sound coming from the motor that indicates it is struggling. If this isn't the case, you will need a new motor installed by a professional garage door technician.