How Do You Know When to Replace Your Garage Door Opener?

Like any piece of technology that keeps your home functional and comfortable, your garage door opener is not going to last forever. While proper maintenance and service can help you get the most mileage out of your garage door opener, the reality is that the day will come when you’ll need to replace the unit. So how do you know when to replace your garage door opener? It depends on a variety of factors.

How long do garage door openers last?

On average, you can plan to get about 10-15 years of life out of your garage door opener. This is, of course, an estimate. You might get more and you might get less. The best thing you can do to make sure your garage door stays operational for longer than that estimate is to follow a strict garage door maintenance routine and call upon a reliable garage door repair company at the first sign of trouble (before matters become worse and irreparable).

Signs you may need a new garage door opener

While many garage door abnormalities can be remedied either by your own hand or the hand of a reputable garage door repair technician, there are certain signs that your garage door opener is simply on its last legs and it might be time to start pricing out replacement options. 

Your garage door is old

If your garage door opener is north of 15 years old, it might be time to consider upgrading even if the unit is still fully operational. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how efficient and quiet a newer model will perform. Older models can be, at times, difficult to repair and parts are not readily available. So if something does go wrong with your current setup, getting it fixed in a hurry may not always be a viable option.

Your garage door opener no longer opens or closes your garage door

If your garage door opener is getting up there in age and is no longer powerful enough to raise and lower your garage door, or if it simply doesn’t activate at all, it’s a good sign that its time has come. You can always consult with a repair tech to diagnose the problem, but depending on the age of the unit, it might be time for an upgrade.

Your garage door opener makes unusual noises

There are a variety of issues that can lead to a noisy garage door, and fortunately they don’t ALL mean you’re in for a replacement unit. In fact, you may even be able to fix the problem on your own with a trip to the hardware store and a little elbow grease. Of course, more serious or prolonged issues will need to be diagnosed and addressed by a professional. In some instances though, a noisy garage door is a sign that it’s time for an upgrade.

Your garage door opens and shuts intermittently without warning

If you find your garage door raising and lowering to random intervals when the button is pressed (or even when it’s not) then there is likely a wiring issue in the opener unit or safety sensors. An intermittent garage door can be a major safety concern, and you’ll want to contact a professional service to diagnose the issue early on before matters get worse. In many cases, wiring issues can be fixed. But there are some instances in which the only proper and safe course of action will be to replace the unit entirely.

While many garage door opener problems can be remedied, there are a number that simply cannot. So if your garage door opener starts acting up, and you’re not sure whether it’s on its last legs or not, your best bet is going to be to contact a reliable garage door repair technician like Anco Overhead Door who can diagnose the problem and let you know if it’s possible or worth it to invest in a repair or if it’s time for an upgrade.