Repairs and servicing
What does a garage door service include?
A standard UK garage door service, typically £80–£150 inc. VAT, covers lubricating moving parts, inspecting springs and cables for wear, checking track alignment, testing photocell function and operator force limitation, and confirming the door balances and reverses correctly. On workplace doors it also includes updating the maintenance log book.
The typical checklist
- Lubricate hinges, rollers, and tracks
- Inspect spring coils for rust, gaps or stretch
- Check cable condition at both drums
- Confirm track alignment and fixings are secure
- Clean and align safety photocells
- Test operator force limitation with an obstruction
- Check remote and wall control function
- Verify the door balances correctly through full travel
Force limitation testing
On any power-operated door, an engineer should test that the operator reverses on contact with an obstruction rather than continuing to close, in line with the force limitation requirements of BS EN 12453. This is one of the most safety-critical checks in a service, since a force setting that has drifted too high can turn the door into a crushing hazard.
Questions people ask
- Does a service include parts?
- A standard service fee typically covers labour and consumables like lubricant, but not replacement parts — if the engineer finds a worn cable or a failing spring during the service, that repair is quoted and charged separately.
- How long does a service take?
- A routine single-door service usually takes 30–45 minutes, longer if the engineer identifies a fault that needs addressing during the visit.
- Should the log book be updated during a service?
- Yes, for power-operated doors — BS EN 12635 requires a log book covering installation and ongoing use, and a service visit is the standard point at which an engineer records the inspection, any adjustments made, and the date of the next check.
UK standards and regulations referenced
- BS EN 12453:2017+A1:2021
- BS EN 12635
Related
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