Many homeowners do not pay proper attention to their garage door, and thus, they are oblivious that if it is not working properly, it can result in serious problems. Every year, garage doors hurt
many individuals, including children. An average garage door isn't cheap to replace either. The expense of replacing a garage door can be hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, regular garage door maintenance can keep it running smoothly and safely.
A garage door system requires regular maintenance, but in most situations, simply checking them every year is enough to keep your doors in good working order. Garage door owners don't need to inspect it regularly; periodic maintenance can keep everything in operating order.
We've put together a list of 5 garage door maintenance tips to help you keep the doors in good condition and avoid costly repairs. Read on to find out.
1. Examine and clean the garage door
One of the most important garages door maintenance tips is to look for any evident physical damage in all the garage door parts. Dents, cracks, and broken strands might cause your garage door to malfunction. To function properly, make sure there are no dents or cracks. It takes only a few minutes.
A corroded panel with rust spots does not improve with age. Keep an eye on it to ensure it is replaced before it compromises the panel's integrity and causes even more problems. Keep an eye out for the garage door tracks. Your door is made to glide up and down the metal tracks with ease. For the rollers to travel smoothly, their tracks must be straight.
One of the best ways to keep your garage door in good working order is to clean it. Dirt and grime build up over time. To remove the build-up, ensure that you wash your garage door regularly with hot water and a mild all-purpose cleaner.
2. Check the weatherstripping on the garage door
The basic feature of a rubber weatherstripping is to keep the cold, water, and debris out. It has a flange that fits into a groove on the garage door's bottom.
Check your garage door's weatherstripping to see if it's still keeping dirt and moisture out.
You can remove the previous strip and replace it if there is gapping, cracks, or brittleness. You will find the weatherstripping at your local hardware stores.
Wooden garage doors have weather stripping, often nailed in place. Remember to replace weatherstripping if it gets ripped or badly worn out.
3. Check the balance of garage doors
You may have a balancing issue if the door appears uneven when operating or takes longer than usual to open or close. Improperly balanced doors put undue strain on springs and other components, reducing the lifespan of your garage door. The door is balanced by the springs, allowing it to open and close smoothly. Therefore, regular garage door maintenance should include a spring inspection.
We suggest that you don't attempt garage door replacement yourself if your springs appear to be damaged. For this task, always contact a trained garage door professional.
How to test the door's balance
Pull the release handle and manually lift the door halfway open to check if it is properly balanced. When you release it, the door should remain in that position. If it doesn't remain in the same position, you have an unbalanced garage door. The tension must be re-calibrated if it lowers or rises again.
4. Proper lubrication
A garage door specialist would tell you that proper lubrication is perhaps the most crucial factor in ensuring that the door functions properly among all the garage door maintenance tips. Lubrication helps in eliminating squeaky sounds when the garage door opens and closes. It also guarantees that the door runs smoothly and without glitches by ensuring that nothing lies in the door's path.
How to lubricate
To guarantee that all moving parts work smoothly and last a long time, lubricate them at least once a year. You can use white lithium grease to lubricate the opening chain and screw and a garage door spray lubricant on the overhead springs and other moving parts.
5. Examine the rollers
Your garage door rollers and roller brackets wear out over time, and the door starts to roll unevenly. The most prevalent causes of doors being lifted off their tracks are cracked rollers and loose bolts. Check these parts twice a year as part of your routine maintenance, and remember that they'll need to be changed every five to seven years. If a roller has cracked, chipped, or worn, it's time to replace it.
You shouldn't try to remove or replace the rollers or roller brackets on your own. If you attempt to fix this component without sufficient understanding, you risk harm or injury. Call in a professional garage door technician to repair the rollers.
Conclusion
There are several garage door maintenance tips that homeowners can follow to ensure that it continues to function efficiently. As a result, there is no need to replace the door or spend money on unneeded repairs. Many issues can be avoided and prevented by following some of the above-mentioned maintenance tips even before they occur.