When your garage stays in good working condition, it’ll provide security and convenience for everyone in your household. Sadly, when you overlook the maintenance for your garage door, it can become a noisy contraption and pose a hazard to your family, especially the children.
Therefore, if you want the garage door to work smoothly for years to come, it’s crucial to provide it with regular care and maintenance. The question now is how exactly can you do that. To help you out, here are the things you can do to keep your garage door working properly.
1. Thorough Inspection
One of the essential things you can do to prevent having troubles with your garage door is to carefully observe it while it’s in action. Check if it’s moving smoothly and fluidly. Is it jerking or stalling at specific points? Listen if the door operates silently or produces scraping or grinding noises. Additionally, check if there are no loose pulleys, springs, and cables.
2. Secure The Hardware
Since the garage door continues to move in upward and downward motions and generates vibration constantly throughout the year, it’s likely for some of its parts to loosen. During routine maintenance, carefully assess and tighten all bolts and roller brackets.
However, if the hardware’s already too bad, you may need to completely replace it. However, garage doors aren’t cheap. Depending on the type of garage door you have or want, expect to spend USD$750 up to USD$10,000. So, if your budget’s tight this month, you may want to get some Presto garage door coupons.
Know that most garage door companies offer coupons, promotions, and discounts to make it easier for their clients to go through replacements and repairs fast. After all, leaving your garage door busted is a huge hassle and may even invite unwanted people to trespass in your home.
3. Clear The Tracks
The tracks covering both sides of the door must be free of any dirt or debris. You can simply dust them off using a brush or wiping debris using a clean washrag.
On the other hand, if the tracks aren’t properly aligned and require significant adjustments, don’t hesitate to get professional help.
4. Test The Balance Of The Garage Door
Your garage door should be well-balanced. When you try to lift the door, it must not feel too light or too heavy. Remember that once there’s an imbalance in your garage door, the opening mechanism strains harder, which may shorten its lifespan and eventually break down.
To balance your garage door, you can start by detaching the door opener. You can do that by pulling the release handle, usually one with the red cord. The next step is to adjust the door halfway up manually. If the door does not seem to stay in place, the counterweight system or springs aren’t correctly balanced.
5. Lubricate The Movable Components
Make it a priority to properly lubricate all the movable components in your garage door to ensure smooth operation for years to come. You can utilize a spray lubricant to coat the overhead springs and white lithium grease on the chain or screws of the opening system.
6. Inspect The Cables
Your garage door’s high-tension cables are crucial to your door’s safety mechanism. When your door opens and closes, it relies heavily on these cables and the torsion springs connected to them. And when the springs fail, it’s up to the cables to prevent the springs from recoiling, which can injure someone nearby.
As much as possible, you should avoid tinkering with the high-tension cables since you may accidentally cause the springs to fail. However, you can inspect their overall condition so you’ll know when to consult a professional. Inspect for damage to the base roller bracket or strands.
7. Clean The Garage Door
Depending on the type of garage door you have, make sure that it’s clean. If you have a wood garage door, you should check for warp or water damage along with peeling or chipping paint. A steel garage door might have rust spots.
As part of maintenance, your garage door will need thorough washing at least two times a year. Cleaning can be as simple as washing the door down with water and a mild all-purpose cleaner. It’s best to clean the garage door before and after winter to eliminate any dirt and salt.
8. Replace The Weatherstripping
Once the rubber stripping on the base of the garage doors appears cracked or brittle, you need to replace it to prevent unwanted moisture, water, and drafts from entering your garage. You can readily find weatherstripping at hardware and home improvement stores. Inspect your garage door’s weatherstripping during summer and before winter comes.
9. Check The Rollers
Depending on the type of rollers you have, whether nylon or steel, you need to check them at least twice a year. Replacement is necessary every seven years or earlier if you constantly use the door. Cracking, chipping, or worn-out rollers require immediate replacement. You can tackle this task by removing and reinstalling the roller brackets.
10. Run The Auto-reverse Safety Features
It’s essential to check the safety mechanisms of your garage door. When testing the mechanical feature, position a brick or block of wood on the floor in the door’s path. As the door moves down and touches the object, it should reverse direction and move back up again. If it doesn’t do that, get someone to service it.
Conclusion
Your garage door deserves proper care and maintenance since it secures your garage and anything in it. As one of the hardworking systems in your home, making sure that it works optimally is a must.