Garage Door Maintenance in Somerville, MA: The 2025 Safety Checklist

Your garage door is likely the largest moving object in your home. In Somerville, MA, it opens and closes an average of 1,500 times per year, battling our humid summers and freezing winters.

Without regular maintenance, the heavy vibration and temperature shifts can lead to misaligned tracks, snapped cables, or dangerous spring failures. The good news? A simple annual tune-up can double the lifespan of your door system.

Here is the essential 2025 maintenance checklist our technicians recommend for every home in Middlesex County.

1. The "Listen" Test

You often hear a problem before you see it. Stand inside your garage in Somerville and close the door.

• Grinding Noise: Often indicates worn rollers or a lack of lubrication.
• Squeaking: Usually dry hinges or bearings.
• Popping: A sign that your torsion spring may be binding or the door is fighting against a bent track. If your door sounds rougher than it did last year, it's time for a service call.

2. Lubrication is Key

Friction is the enemy of garage door hardware. We recommend lubricating all moving metal parts hinges, rollers, and springs every 6 months.

• Pro Tip: Never use WD-40! It acts as a solvent and actually strips away grease. Instead, use a specialized silicone spray or white lithium grease suitable for 02143's climate.
• Note: Do NOT lubricate the tracks themselves; this collects dust and grime, which can cause the rollers to slip.

3. Test the Balance

A properly balanced door should be easy to lift manually. If you disconnect the opener (using the red emergency cord) and lift the door halfway, it should stay in place.

• If it slams shut, your springs are under-tensioned.
• If it flies up, they are over-tensioned. Warning: Spring adjustment is dangerous. If your door fails the balance test, call our Somerville professionals immediately at (781) 383-7456.

4. Safety Sensor Alignment

The "photo-eye" sensors at the base of your tracks are your primary safety feature. If your door starts to close and then reverses for no reason, these sensors are likely misaligned or dirty.

• Check that the green (receiving) and amber (sending) lights are solid, not flickering.
• Wipe the lenses with a soft cloth to remove spiderwebs or dust common in Somerville garages.

Schedule Your 21-Point Tune-Up

While homeowners can handle basic lubrication, a full safety inspection including spring tensioning and cable checks should be handled by a pro.

We offer comprehensive garage door tune-ups for the entire Somerville area. We check every bolt, hinge, and bearing to ensure your door runs quietly and safely for another year.

Visit our Somerville Service Area Page to see our current maintenance specials and book your appointment.

MA Garage Doors Keeping Somerville Safe and Secure 📞 (781) 383-7456