6 Garage Door Maintenance Tips You Should Know
If you own a garage, the last thing you want is the inability to park your car or leave in the morning due to a faulty door. Like any other mechanical system, a garage door contains numerous moving parts that wear out over time. Therefore, you should inspect your garage door regularly and perform necessary maintenance to ensure flawless functionality.
Any failure to meet your garage door's maintenance needs can lead to expensive damages. A faulty garage door is also a safety hazard, as it can fall and injure someone. Here are some essential tips for proper garage door maintenance.
1. Lubricate Your Door's Moving Parts
Friction makes your garage door's parts wear. These parts require regular lubrication for an effortless functioning of the door. Unlubricated parts make your door hard to move, plus some crucial parts will eventually break down due to increased pressure. Failure to lubricate parts such as screws and springs can also make your door noisy.
Only use high-quality lubricants, like silicone spray and lithium grease, and avoid excessive oil application to ensure positive results. Also, ensure that the nylon rollers are free of lubricant.
2. Schedule Regular Inspections
Do you know that your garage door needs regular inspections? Like any other home equipment, your garage door can develop issues due to typical wear and tear. If you don't notice and address them immediately, they can later turn into serious problems that are expensive to repair.
During an inspection, technicians also check safety systems to ensure that your door is safe for all users. Essential safety parts to check during an inspection include the safety sensors and the auto-reversal.
Also, check other systems like the wall-mounted buttons, springs, lift cables, and other parts that play a role in the door's mechanisms.
3. Clean the Tracks
Your garage door may have tracks to promote smoother operations, depending on its design. Dirt and debris can accumulate on the tracks over time, hindering your door's operation.
Ensure that your door's tracks are free of dirt by cleaning them regularly using a damp cloth or a vacuum to blow away any dust and debris.
4. Keep the Door Balanced
Your garage door can only have equal weight distribution when balanced. Any unequal distribution of weights strains some parts, which can lead to early failure. A faulty door can roll down unexpectedly, damaging your car or injuring someone. An unbalanced door looks crooked and feels heavier, which also impacts ease of use and aesthetics.
5. Clean and Paint Your Door's Exteriors and Interiors
If you want your garage door to remain attractive, clean it regularly to eliminate the accumulated dirt and grime. Also, don't wait for the paint to completely peel off before you touch up appearances, as you may expose your door to further damage by harsh outdoor elements.
6. Tighten Up Screws and Bolts
Since your door's screws may loosen due to vibrations when opening or closing, you should regularly check for loose bolts and tighten them to avoid issues like rattling noises and sagging. A garage door can also collapse if the loose door can also collapse if loose bolts throw the door's tracks out of alignment. Contact a professional if the rattling noises don't persists after tightening the bolts.
Your home's garage door is an essential part that requires regular care. A preventative approach is the best way to keep your garage door in good shape for a long time, as it prevents severe damage. Use the tips above to avoid costly garage door damage and minimize the risk of accidents.
At Byers & Butler Inc., we have the skills, experience, and tools required to offer excellent services to our customers. Contact us today for a free estimate.
