A garage door isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about functionality and safety. A strong and effective garage door protects your belongings from the elements of nature and other potential threats. However, we often overlook its maintenance, which is essential for its longevity and efficient performance. A well-maintained garage door not only enhances its functionality but also saves you money and time in the future. Therefore, you should always do a comprehensive check according to the maintenance tips to ensure its prolonged life. Once this checks out any malfunction, you can contact a garage door maintenance company to solve it.
6 Maintenance Tips to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Garage Door
If you don’t know the proper maintenance and safety tips, you won’t be able to find out the problem with your garage door. This could lead to big damage, causing you a lot of hassle later.
So, before a seemingly minor issue escalates into an expensive garage door repair, here are some maintenance tips that you should follow to keep your garage door in shape.
Regular Cleaning
Just like any other machine, your garage door needs to be cleaned regularly. Too much dirt buildup not only makes the door look bad but can also damage the door’s internal components. These can lead to problems like soiled door opener sensors and rusted metal later.
To prevent this, you should routinely wipe the doors with a moist cloth. Make sure to check the paint for peeling or flaking, as this could expose the door to weather-related damage. Touch up the affected area to stop future damage.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
A longer lifespan for your door depends on ensuring the moving parts are properly lubricated. Frictional wear and tear could damage components including rails, hinges, and rollers.
Timely lubrication ensures that these are kept in good shape and operate properly. Some components, like tension springs, do the heavy lifting; therefore, it is essential to oil them properly throughout the year. However, if you notice a damaged tension spring, contact a garage door repair professionals. Do not attempt to repair it yourself.
Inspect the Hardware
Routine visual examination of the garage door is essential to ensuring that its hardware is in good working condition. Damaged hardware is a potential threat to safety. Loose nuts, bolts, and screws can cause various problems, including the door not opening or closing properly and misalignment.
Regularly check the efficiency of your garage door opener. If you notice damage and deterioration in the opener, you should immediately book an appointment for a garage door repair to get it treated. This is only possible if you regularly check whether your garage door needs repair or replacement.
Check for Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a layer of material that aids in defending your garage door against the elements, including wind, pests, and other things. Over time, they may deteriorate or become brittle and broken due to environmental factors, including sunlight and dampness.
Regular inspection is necessary to make sure that there are no air leaks or drafts near the garage door. You should add a screw or nail to fasten loose weather-stripping areas for further protection against breakage. Additionally, weather strips that are brittle or worn out should be changed, if necessary.
Test Safety Features
Your garage doors are installed with safety features like force detection sensors and photo eyes. Characteristics like these are intended to identify any obstructions in the path of the door, thereby stopping it from shutting on something or someone.
Maintaining a regular check on these features is extremely crucial. Any malfunction, whether minor or major, could compromise the safety of those nearby. To test the auto-reverse mechanism, you can place a small object in the path of the door while it is being used. If you spot any issues, understand that you need garage door repair instantly.
Check the Balance and Alignment
Checking the door for balance is yet another important part of the maintenance inspection. An improperly aligned door can cause strain on the components, causing the door to break over time.
To check for the balance, disconnect the door from the opener and try to open it manually. Examine how the door opens. If you hear a creaking sound while opening or closing, if the door appears slanted, or if it feels heavy or falls when you let go, then it means it needs repair. However, don’t try to do any DIY to balance the door. Always call a professional garage door maintenance company to get it repaired.
Your garage door is more than a functional asset, it acts like a guardian of your belongings. Therefore, it’s essential to follow these maintenance tips to ensure that your garage doors operate more safely, effectively, and for a longer period of time.
