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Garage door repair and maintenance falls into that category of jobs that most DIYers won’t touch. For one, you generally need at least two people on the job to hold the door level. Most importantly though, garage doors use torsion springs and cables that the average homeowner is not equipped to adjust. This combination of factors makes garage door services a good opportunity for a service business. However, you need to make sure that your team has the tools they need to get the job done.
Important Tools Every Garage Door Technician Needs
- Ladders
- Locking Pliers and Clamps
- Hand Tools
- Winding Bars
- Leather Gloves
- Safety Gear
- General Maintenance Supplies
- Garage Door Scheduling Software
Ladders
First off, make sure your techs have ladders. Garage doors go into places that most people cannot reach on their own—and they can be HEAVY. Keep in mind that a garage door (especially an older one) could weigh as much as 450 pounds. Each of your teams will likely need two sturdy ladders.
Locking Pliers and Clamps
All springs eventually break—if you work in the garage door business, you’ve likely built a company around this fact. Regularly checking the torsion helps spot an issue before it becomes a problem, but once you notice a weakness, you will need to have your team take action. The best way to keep everyone safe is to use locking pliers and clamps to secure the door to the frame while your techs work on the springs. For that, you need clamps or locking pliers. Furthermore, you need to replace those tools often. That clamp or set of pliers is the only thing preventing your technicians from injury while they work on the doors, so don’t skimp.
Other Hand Tools
Your garage door techs need a variety of hand tools as well. Set screws hold winding cones in place, so you will need a set of screwdrivers for each technician. They may also need to remove panels, remove hinges, or remove the track. You need screwdrivers in a variety of sizes for all of this. A good adjustable wrench helps, as does a socket or ratchet set. Many garage doors have bolts as well as screws. Make sure your team is prepared for whatever they encounter on the job.
Winding Bars
Make sure your techs have winding bars as well. Winding cones are made to accept them, and they help keep the job safe. If one of your technicians is poorly equipped, you know what will happen—that tech will try using a screwdriver or the handle on a set of pliers to unwind the torsion spring and they will wind up in ER before the hour is up. Even smart techs may try to take shortcuts like that, but if you make sure that the service van is stocked with several winding bars in a few different sizes, you can prevent an accident.
Leather Gloves and Safety Gear
Safety is important in garage door service and installation. Don’t let your guys go in the field without protection. They need to be wearing good leather gloves that give them grip and protection. The gloves don’t need to very fancy, just tough. Likewise, keep eye protection freely available.
General Maintenance Supplies
When you work in the garage door service business, maintenance represents a major part of the job. Annual service contracts help you keep money flowing in and give your customers peace of mind that weaknesses will be detected before doors fall, cables snap, or any number of issues occur.
Send each tech off with WD40 and a few other lubes. These items help garage doors and other components move more easily while reducing the risk of corrosion. Your techs will also need batteries and light bulbs as well as some wood filler. Supply cleaning equipment. This way, your service team can easily inspect for insect damage and corrosion while leaving no trace that they ever visited.
Garage Door Scheduling Software
All of the tools mentioned so far help improve efficiency in one specific part of the garage door business, but good garage door scheduling software can improve efficiency in every part of a garage door operation. These days, mobile garage apps can help your office team schedule work for field technicians, giving techs access to all the customer info, work orders, forms, equipment information, and service histories they need to work confidently and efficiently. Get a free demo of the garage door software Smart Service to bring your business to the next level.
Help your garage door repair team succeed!
Your garage door techs need to have a variety of tools to install and maintain garage doors properly. They need to be able to adjust the tension and remain safe while they work on the doors—no easy feat if they don’t have the right equipment. Do your part as a garage door service company owner and outfit your team properly.
