How Often Should I Have My Door Serviced?

📅 Originally Published: January 2019 | Last Updated: July 2025

How Often Should I Have My Garage Door Serviced? One of the most common questions we receive at Garage Door Solutions is: “How often should I service my garage door?” It’s an excellent question — and the answer can make the difference between a door that works flawlessly for years and one that leaves you stuck in your driveway on a busy morning.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that garage doors — like any mechanical system — require regular servicing and maintenance. Just as you wouldn’t drive your car for years without changing the oil or booking it in for a service, the same principle applies to your garage door and its opener.

In this guide, we’ll explain why servicing matters, how often you should book a professional maintenance check, and what happens if regular servicing is neglected.

Why Is Regular Garage Door Servicing So Important?

Your garage door is one of the largest moving objects in your home. It’s made up of many components — springs, cables, rollers, hinges, tracks, and the motorised opener — all of which work together every time you open and close the door.

Like any mechanical system, wear and tear happens gradually with use. Springs lose tension. Rollers develop flat spots. Cables stretch. Tracks can move out of alignment. The motor can wear down. Without professional adjustment and lubrication, small issues build up and eventually cause bigger (and more expensive) problems.

Here’s why regular maintenance is essential:

• Safety: A faulty garage door can pose a serious safety risk to you and your family. Broken springs or worn cables can cause the door to slam shut unexpectedly or fail to operate altogether.
• Longevity: Well-maintained doors and openers typically last years longer than neglected ones. Investing in regular servicing will extend the life of your garage door and opener.
• Warranty compliance: Many garage door warranties — including those from B&D and other leading brands — require proof of regular maintenance to remain valid. Skipping your annual service could void your warranty.
• Reliability: Regular servicing ensures your garage door works properly, quietly, and smoothly — exactly when you need it to.

How Often Should You Service Your Garage Door?

At Garage Door Solutions, we recommend most residential garage doors be professionally serviced once every 12 months. This follows the guidelines of leading manufacturers such as B&D, Merlin, SOMMER, and others — all of whom suggest annual servicing to keep their products in top condition.

However, servicing needs can vary depending on:

• How often the door is used
• Whether the door is exposed to coastal conditions or harsh weather
• The age and model of the door and opener
• Whether regular DIY care (such as light cleaning and lubrication) is performed

To simplify this, think of garage door usage in terms of “cycles.” One cycle = one full open and close of the door.

• For the average household, a garage door completes 3,000 – 5,000 cycles per year.
• The typical lifespan of most garage door openers is rated for 15,000 – 20,000 cycles (depending on brand and model).

For example:

• If you use your garage door multiple times per day, you may need to service it every 6–9 months.
• If you only open it occasionally (such as a holiday home), servicing every 2 years may be sufficient.

A good general rule:

• At least every 12 months, or sooner if your door is used heavily.

High-Tech Cycle Counting With B&D Doors

Modern B&D Controll-A-Door openers take the guesswork out of this process. Their smart electronics can keep track of exactly how many cycles your garage door has performed. On request, we can even program your B&D opener to alert you with a flashing light when it’s due for a service — based on your chosen cycle limit (such as 3,000 or 5,000 cycles).

This clever feature means you’ll never miss a service — ensuring maximum performance and long-term reliability.

What’s Included in a Professional Garage Door Service?

When you book a maintenance service with Garage Door Solutions, you’re not just getting a quick once-over. Our experienced technicians conduct a thorough multi-point inspection and service, which typically includes:

✅ Inspecting and adjusting door spring tension (torsion or extension springs)
✅ Checking cables, pulleys, and rollers for wear or damage
✅ Lubricating moving parts for smooth, quiet operation
✅ Checking track alignment and adjusting if necessary
✅ Testing the auto-reverse safety function of the opener
✅ Ensuring smooth and balanced door movement
✅ Tightening all loose fasteners, hinges, and brackets
✅ Inspecting weather seals and replacing if needed
✅ Testing remotes and opener for correct operation
✅ Checking motor wear, chain or belt tension, and electronics (for automatic openers)

By the end of the service, your garage door will operate as quietly, safely, and efficiently as possible — giving you peace of mind that it’s working as it should.

What Happens If You Skip Regular Maintenance?

Some homeowners make the mistake of waiting until something goes wrong before booking a garage door service. Unfortunately, by this stage the damage is often more extensive — and the repair costs are higher.

Skipping regular servicing can lead to:
🚫 Expensive emergency repairs
🚫 Increased wear and tear
🚫 Safety risks to your family and pets
🚫 Premature breakdown of the motor
🚫 Voiding of your warranty
🚫 Shortened lifespan of the entire system

Put simply: preventative maintenance is always cheaper and smarter than reactive repairs.

Servicing All Major Brands

At Garage Door Solutions, our team services all major brands and models of garage doors and openers, including:

• B&D Garage Doors
• Merlin
• SOMMER German-engineered openers
• ATA (Automatic Technology Australia)
• Grifco commercial and industrial doors
• And many others

Whether you have a modern automatic sectional door, an older roller door, or a tilt door system, we have the tools and expertise to maintain it to the highest standards.

Why Choose Garage Door Solutions For Your Maintenance?

✅ Over 50 years of experience servicing garage doors across South East Melbourne and surrounding regions
✅ Authorised dealers and certified installers for leading brands
✅ Specialist knowledge of B&D smart systems and cycle tracking
✅ Experienced with residential, commercial, and industrial doors
✅ Honest advice — if we wouldn’t recommend it for our own home, we won’t suggest it for yours
✅ Friendly, professional team with prompt, reliable service
✅ Fully backed by our 10-year installation labour guarantee

Book Your Garage Door Service Today

Regular garage door servicing is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment and ensure years of reliable operation.

Don’t wait for a breakdown — book your professional garage door maintenance service with Garage Door Solutions today.

Contact us online or call us on (03) 9587 4000 or 1800 673 637 to schedule your service.

If you’re unsure when your last service was, or if your opener supports cycle tracking, simply ask one of our friendly team members — we’ll be happy to advise you and tailor a maintenance plan for your needs.

FAQs of How Often Should I Have My Garage Door Serviced:

Q1: How often should I service my garage door?
We recommend servicing your garage door at least once every 12 months. This helps to keep it running smoothly, safely, and in line with manufacturer warranty requirements. If your door sees heavy daily use, it may benefit from servicing every 6–9 months instead.

Q2: What does a garage door service include?
A professional garage door service includes inspecting all components (springs, cables, rollers, tracks), checking motor and opener function, lubricating moving parts, adjusting spring tension, testing safety mechanisms, and ensuring smooth, quiet operation.

Q3: Can I service my garage door myself?
Basic maintenance, such as light cleaning and lubricating the tracks, can be done at home. However, full servicing (including spring adjustments and motor inspections) should be carried out by a qualified professional to ensure safety and proper operation.

Q4: What happens if I don’t service my garage door?
Skipping regular servicing can lead to increased wear and tear, reduced lifespan, voided warranty, unexpected breakdowns, and potential safety hazards. Regular maintenance is key to protecting your investment.

Q5: Do you service all brands of garage doors and openers?
Yes — at Garage Door Solutions, we service all major brands, including B&D, Merlin, SOMMER, ATA, Grifco, and others. Whether you have a roller, sectional, tilt, or custom door, we can maintain it to the highest standard.