It's easy to pick everyday conveniences for granted until something spots go away. In many homes the garage door is one of those conveniences, the out of sight, out of mind convenience, until suddenly it won't open. Regular maintenance and an awareness of any early warning signs can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major meltdown.

If you have ever been caught fiddling with your hands awkwardly up and down the wall switch or remote and the door refuses to part or gets stuck, you may be in for garage door opener repair. A click, a grind or a slow response - they're small indications that something is potentially wearing out inside. Ignoring them never pays off much.

Taking the time to check for the basic components the tracks, springs and sensors, and motor make it well worth it for taking the time to save you frustration and perhaps even injuries. Most often a simple tune-up, lubrication, or some realignment will restore this smooth operation. In the more serious cases one or the other of the motor or internal mechanism may have to be replaced.

After the door is moving well again you'll probably forget you ever had a problem. But the feeling of relief and going back to a regular life is worth it. Maintenance doesn't have to be a huge change: a little goes a long way.