What's Included in a Professional Tune-Up
A quality garage door tune-up is a comprehensive service that addresses all mechanical, electrical, and safety components. For DIY maintenance tasks you can do yourself, see our complete maintenance guide. Here's exactly what our technicians inspect and service:
🔧 Complete Tune-Up Checklist
Torsion Springs
Apply garage door-specific lubricant to spring coils to reduce friction and prevent corrosion.
Hinges & Pivots
Lubricate all hinge pivot points to eliminate squeaking and ensure smooth panel articulation.
Rollers & Bearings
Apply lubricant to roller shafts and sealed bearings (nylon rollers) or ball bearings (steel rollers).
Cables & Drums
Light lubrication on cable drums and lift cables to prevent fraying and ensure smooth operation.
Balance Test
Disconnect opener and manually test door balance. Door should stay in place when raised halfway.
Spring Tension Adjustment
Adjust spring tension if door is unbalanced (requires professional tools and expertise).
Track Alignment
Check vertical and horizontal track alignment. Adjust brackets if tracks are misaligned.
Photo Eye Alignment
Test and align safety sensors. Door must reverse when beam is interrupted.
Auto-Reverse Test
Place obstruction under closing door to verify auto-reverse function activates properly.
Force Settings
Adjust opener's closing and opening force to appropriate levels for safe operation.
Tighten All Hardware
Check and tighten bracket bolts, hinge screws, roller brackets, and track mounting hardware.
Cable Inspection
Inspect cables for fraying, rust, or damage. Report any issues that need repair.
Weatherstripping Check
Inspect bottom seal and side weatherstripping for damage, gaps, or deterioration.
Benefits of Regular Tune-Ups
Annual maintenance is the most cost-effective way to protect your garage door investment:
Prevent Costly Repairs
Catching issues early prevents $300-$1,000+ emergency repairs. Lubrication alone extends spring life 30%.
Extend Equipment Life
Maintained doors last 25-30 years vs 15-20 for neglected doors. Same for openers: 15+ vs 10 years.
Quieter Operation
Proper lubrication eliminates squeaks, grinding, and vibration that disturb household and neighbors.
Safety Assurance
Verified safety sensors and auto-reverse protect children and pets from 400+ lb moving door.
Curb Appeal
A smooth, well-maintained door looks and sounds better, improving home appearance and value.
Winter Reliability
Tune-up in spring prevents cold-weather failures when you need your door most.
Signs You Need a Tune-Up Now
Don't wait for complete failure. These warning signs indicate it's time to schedule service:
🚨 Warning Signs Your Door Needs Service
DIY vs Professional Tune-Up
Some maintenance tasks are DIY-friendly, while others require professional expertise:
🔧 Safe for DIY
- Lubricate hinges, rollers, and springs
- Tighten visible loose hardware
- Clean tracks with damp cloth
- Test safety sensors (break beam)
- Visual inspection for damage
- Clean and test remote batteries
⚠️ Leave to Professionals
- Spring tension adjustment
- Cable replacement or adjustment
- Track realignment
- Opener force calibration
- Bottom bracket adjustment
- Any work near torsion springs
⚠️ Safety Warning
Never attempt to adjust torsion springs yourself. These springs are under extreme tension (over 200 lbs of force) and can cause serious injury or death if they snap. Spring adjustment requires specialized tools and training.
What Happens During a Professional Tune-Up
Here's the typical timeline for a professional garage door tune-up visit:
Initial Assessment
Technician operates door several times, listening and watching for issues. Discusses any concerns you've noticed.
Lubrication
Applies garage door lubricant to springs, hinges, rollers, bearings, and cable drums. Uses correct lubricant types for each component.
Balance Test & Adjustment
Disconnects opener and tests door balance manually. Adjusts spring tension if needed (adds time).
Hardware & Track Inspection
Tightens all fasteners, checks track alignment, inspects cables for wear, examines rollers and hinges.
Safety System Testing
Tests photo eyes, auto-reverse function, and opener force settings. Adjusts as needed for proper operation.
Final Testing & Report
Operates door multiple times to verify smooth, quiet operation. Reports any issues that need future attention.
How Often Should You Schedule Tune-Ups?
The recommended frequency depends on your usage and environment:
- Standard residential (3-4 cycles/day): Once per year, ideally in spring
- Heavy use (5+ cycles/day): Twice per year (spring and fall)
- Commercial doors: Every 3-6 months depending on traffic
- Coastal or humid environments: Twice per year (corrosion prevention)
- After harsh Toronto winters: Schedule immediately in March/April
Frequently Asked Questions
A professional garage door tune-up includes: lubrication of all moving parts (springs, hinges, rollers, bearings), balance testing and adjustment, safety sensor alignment and testing, hardware tightening, track inspection and cleaning, cable inspection, weatherstripping check, and opener force adjustment.
In Toronto, a professional garage door tune-up costs $100-$120 + tax. This includes all labor and lubricants. If any parts need replacement (like rollers or weatherstripping), those are quoted separately. Some companies charge $150+ for the same service, so compare quotes.
Most experts recommend a professional tune-up once per year, ideally in spring after the harsh Toronto winter. Doors with heavy use (5+ cycles daily), commercial doors, or doors in harsh environments may benefit from twice-yearly service.
Some tune-up tasks like lubrication and visual inspection are DIY-friendly. However, spring adjustment, balance testing, and safety calibration should be done by professionals. Never attempt to adjust torsion springs yourself - the tension can cause serious injury.
Signs your door needs a tune-up include: squeaking or grinding noises, slow or jerky operation, door doesn't stay open when released, visible rust on springs or hardware, door seems heavier than usual, vibration during operation, or it's been over a year since the last service.
Schedule Your Annual Tune-Up
Keep your garage door running smoothly. Professional tune-ups just $100-$120 in Toronto & GTA. Book online.
📞 437-265-9995