If you have recently purchased a new garage door, you are probably wondering whether it requires servicing. This month, we have a blog post discussing whether or not garage doors need to be serviced. We will also discuss the importance of having your garage doors serviced, how often to do it, and some of the preventative maintenance tips to ensure that your garage doors have a long life.
Do Garage Doors Require Maintenance?
The short answer is yes, but this will depend on the type of garage door you have. Most side hinged and roller doors are low maintenance, which means that they don’t have to be serviced. Up and over and sectional garage doors, however, do require some level of maintenance. It is important to note that failure to properly maintain your garage door can invalidate a manufacturer’s warranty.
What Maintenance is Required for Garage Doors?
Just like anything in and around your home, your garage doors need a bit of tender loving care to keep them working well and looking great. Always remember that the garage door is an incredibly heavy piece of moving equipment in your home, which is why regular maintenance is so important. Here are some of the maintenance tasks that are needed to keep your garage doors working perfectly:
Look and Listen
The best preventive step when it comes to your garage door is to observe its action whenever you use it. A properly functioning garage door should move smoothly. If you notice that it is jerky in some places, it could be indicative of a problem. Garage doors should operate quietly as opposed to making grinding and scraping noises. Both sides of the system including the pulleys, springs, and cables should look symmetric.
Check Hinges and Rollers
Regularly check that all the hinges and rollers are in good condition. Ensure that all bolts and nuts are secure. These parts are prone to splitting and cracking. You can easily repair these parts without necessarily calling a repairman for a service call. You can easily find replacement hinges and rollers either online or at your local box store.
Cleaning
No matter the type of garage door you have installed, it can be a good idea to wipe down the surface using a clean cloth at least once every month to prevent blemishes and paint corrosion. If you live close to the ocean, hose the salt spray from your garage door when watering your garden or whenever you wash your car.
Lubrication
All the metallic moving parts of the garage door should be lubricated, especially in dusty environments. Hinges, rollers, and springs require some light lubrication several times per year, but particularly during winter.
While you can always use WD-40, you should avoid lubricants that easily gum up. 3 in 1 oil is recommended since it is long-lasting. Grease should be avoided since it attracts dust and dirt, thus making it difficult to operate your door.
Balance the Door
Check the balance and spring tension of your garage door by balancing it halfway up in the opening. You can easily tell if the torsion springs require adjustment if it moves up or down.
Springs usually break in the winter when it is cold. If the springs are over 10 years old, you should consider replacing them. However, you should at least adjust your torsion springs to ensure that the garage door opener does not overwork and burnout.
While just about anybody can oil a garage door, it is generally advisable to have a trained professional come and check the spring tension of your garage door since incorrect handling may cause serious harm.
Bottom Seal and Weather Seal
If necessary, replace all the perimeter seals. Check the vinyl door stop weather seal and bottom astragal for wear. Ensure that there aren’t any gaps where air drafts and snow can get into the garage. With the garage door closed and lights out, look for light shining through around the door’s edges. The bottom seal is particularly susceptible to wear from animals and shrinkage from moisture.
Test the Safety Features
Garage doors typically have a variety of safety features aimed at preventing injuries. You should, however, test these features in a controlled setting. Place a block of wood beneath the door while it is closing to test the auto-reverse feature. If your door has an infrared safety feature, you can use a broomstick for confirming that signal interruption reverses or stops the door.
Final Thoughts
The garage door plays an important role in your home, which is why it makes sense to look after it properly by following the tips, information, and advice provided here. If you lack the skills, time, or inclination to properly service your garage door, then you should hire a professional garage door maintenance service to do it for you.
