7 Tips for Garage Door Maintenance in Bunbury

Why? Extend the lifespan of your Garage Door

Regular Garage Door Maintance in Bunbury is essential to extend the lifespan of your Garage door. The average resenditial Garage door costs between $3,500 - $4,500, so protect your investment and save yourself money.

In Bunbury and across the South West, the salty coastal air and seasonal temperature changes can cause corrosion and wear faster than in other regions. By inspecting and servicing your garage door regularly, you can extend its lifespan and prevent expensive breakdowns.

Your garage door is one of the largest moving parts in your home. When it’s not working properly, it can cause safety risks, costly repairs, and daily frustration. Regular maintenance keeps your door smooth, quiet, and dependable.

Manufacturers such as B&D Doors recommend servicing after the first year and then every two years. However, we recommend annually living on the coast.

1. Inspect and Test Your Door Monthly

Photo of paul pointing out visual signs that this garage door needs a service and motor replacement.

Visual Inspection

Look over your door carefully each month. Check for loose or missing screws, bolts, hinges, and rollers. Watch and listen as the door opens and closes. Jerking or scraping sounds often indicate misalignment or worn parts.

Photo of Paul testing the balance of a garage door.

Balance Test

  1. Pull the red emergency release cord to disconnect the opener.

  2. Lift the door manually to waist height.

  3. If it stays in place, your springs are likely balanced. If it drops or springs up, they need professional adjustment.

Never adjust the springs yourself, as they are under high tension and can cause serious injury.

Video of how to text your Garage Door Auto Reverse. - Lanscaster Garage Doors

Auto-Reverse Safety Test

Place a small block of wood under the door and close it using the opener. The door should automatically reverse once it touches the object.

Also wave an object in front of the photo-eye sensors while the door is closing. If it doesn’t reverse, schedule a service immediately.

2. Lubricate Moving Parts

Lubrication keeps your door operating quietly and prevents premature wear.

Image of Inox MX3

What to Use
Use a lanolin-based spray such as INOX MX3 or Lanotec. These products cling to metal, repel moisture, and don’t attract dust.

Photo of WD-40 with a red cirle and line through it demonstrating to not use this product on your garage door.

What to Avoid
Avoid using WD-40 or other multipurpose sprays. WD-40 is a solvent that removes existing grease instead of protecting it. It may quiet noise temporarily but will leave your door unprotected against rust.

Where to Apply

  • Hinges, springs, and pulleys

  • Rollers, except sealed nylon types

  • Bearings and metal chains (not belts)

Wipe away any excess to avoid drips or stains. Do not lubricate the tracks. Simply wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

3. Check Springs, Cables and Chains

Photo of Paul from Lancaster Garage Doors Tensioning the Springs of  a Garage Door to balance it.

Springs and cables are critical components that carry the door’s weight. Look for rust, corrosion, or frayed wires. Do not attempt to repair or replace them yourself.

For chain-driven openers, check the tension. A sagging chain causes jerky movement while an overly tight chain stresses the motor. Lightly lubricate metal chains with the same spray used on hinges. Belt drives do not require lubrication.

4. Tighten or Replace Hardware

Photo of Paul replacing missing screws on a garage door.

Oftern garage doors will be installed and the builders don’t check to see if all hardware is where it should be, this means that the garage doors are often missing screws or bolts, which puts more stress and pressure on the ones that are there.

Also, over time, vibration loosens screws and brackets. Use a spanner or socket to carefully tighten all hardware.

Avoid overtightening plastic parts.

5. Replace Remote Batteries and Test the System

Photo of a remove with an A23 battery inside.

Many callouts are caused by flat remote batteries. We recommend you replace them every 12 months and test your remote and wall-mounted keypad regularly.

If your opener includes a backup battery, ensure it is charged and working properly.

For detailed steps on replacing your batteries, see our related guide: How to Change Your Garage Door Remote Battery.

6. Clean Your Door

Clean your door panels with mild detergent and water to remove salt and grime. Wipe the tracks inside the garage to clear dust and debris. Tracks should never be greased

7. Schedule Professional Servicing for your Garage Door Maintance in Bunbury

For most Bunbury homeowners, we recommend a professional garage door service every two years, or annually for high-use doors.

A qualified technician will:

  • Adjust spring tension safely

  • Realign tracks

  • Test and calibrate auto-reverse safety systems

  • Inspect rollers, hinges, and cables for wear

  • Lubricate all moving components correctly

Professional maintenance ensures safety, reliability, and warranty protection.

8. Optional Extra Tips

  • Weather Seals: Replace cracked or brittle bottom seals to prevent drafts, pests, and moisture.

  • Ember Guard:

  • Smart Door Openers: Keep firmware updated and check your mobile app settings.

  • Coastal Protection: Rinse metal parts with fresh water and reapply lubricant more frequently to combat salt corrosion.

Keep Your Garage Door Safe and Reliable

Regular maintenance on your garage door in Bunbury is the key to keeping your garage door safe, quiet, and dependable for years to come. Simple checks and lubrication can prevent most issues, but when it comes to spring tension, motor alignment, or safety settings, it’s always best to call an expert.

At Lancaster Garage Doors, we provide reliable servicing, repairs, and replacements across Bunbury and the South West. Our local, family-owned business is committed to quality workmanship and long-lasting results.

If your door is noisy, slow, or due for a service, contact us today for friendly advice or to book a professional garage door maintenance in Bunbury.

FAQ’s for Garage Door Maintance in Bunbury

Here are the most Frequestly Asked Questions for Garage Door Maintance in Bunbury. If you have questions that are not answered here, please don’t hesitate to call us.

  • Lubricate your garage door every 6 to 12 months in Bunbury. If you live near the coast or use your door multiple times a day, do it more often.

  • Use a lanolin-based spray such as INOX MX3 or Lanotec. They protect metal parts without attracting dust.

  • No. WD-40 removes grease and can damage plastic or nylon parts. It is not a long-term lubricant.

  • In Bunbury, schedule servicing every two years, or annually if your door is used several times daily.

  • Yes. Lightly lubricate metal rollers and springs with a lanolin spray. Avoid sealed nylon rollers.

  • Yes. Lubrication helps prevent stiffness and corrosion during cold or damp months.

  • DIY lubrication costs around $20–$30 for spray products. Professional servicing in Bunbury is usually between $150 and $350 per door.

  • The most common repair involves replacing broken springs or realigning safety sensors.

  • With regular maintenance, most doors last between 14 and 16 years. Depending on use, quality, and mantenance.

  • In Bunbury, spring replacement typically costs $250–$450 depending on door size and type. - Please ask for a quote for your door…

  • Sensor adjustment or replacement usually costs $120–$200

  • The most common problems are a flat remote battery, a tripped motor fuse, misaligned sensors, or a broken spring.

  • If the door is under 15 years old and structurally sound, repair is often best. For older, corroded, or damaged doors, replacement may be more cost-effective.

  • Your technician will inspect, diagnose, and test the door, then repair or replace any faulty parts. Most repairs take 1–2 hours.

Written by Paul Simmons – Owner of Lancaster Garage Doors
Paul is the owner and lead technician at Lancaster Garage Doors, a trusted family business based in Bunbury, Western Australia. With years of hands-on experience, he’s passionate about helping homeowners and property managers keep their garage doors running safely and reliably.

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