Published on March 10, 2022
It is essential to maintain your garage door to avoid frequent, costly repairs and extend its lifespan. Taking a few minutes of your day to inspect your door can save you thousands. Here are some valuable garage door maintenance tips to help keep your door in good condition and ensure it stands the test of time.
Listen to Unusual Noises
The most straightforward but crucial maintenance routine is observing how the door operates whenever you use it. Is the garage door operating smoothly? Do you hear any unusual noises? Does the entire system look balanced, including lift cables, springs, and pulleys?
Lubricate Moving Parts
Lubrication is critical. It helps ease the stress of the moving garage door parts and can save you the need to replace your door prematurely.
You should lubricate your door twice every year using white lithium grease or another highly-quality lubricant. It’s best to use a spray lubricant to coat overhead springs.
Clear Tracks and Tighten Hardware
Ensure your garage door tracks are free of rust and debris. Inspect the brackets holding the tracks to the wall and fasteners that hold the garage door opener in place. If loose, usually due to door vibrations, tighten the loose bolts using a socket wrench.
Ensure Proper Balance
An unbalanced garage door makes the motor work twice as hard. When adequately balanced, an average garage door moves up and down with minimal force. But how do you know your door is balanced?
The door should remain stationary when halfway open. Otherwise, the chances are that the springs are worn out or improperly balanced. You should find a reputable garage door professional in Oakville to adjust or replace the springs.
Fix Weatherstripping
The rubber weatherstripping is essential for keeping out cold air, moisture, and debris. Check the weatherstripping along the sides of your door. Reattach it if it’s loose, or replace it if it’s severely damaged.
Wood doors usually have their weatherstripping nailed in place. Consider replacing the bottom weatherstripping if something has torn it.
Check the Auto-Reverse Feature
There are two types of auto-reverse safety features:
- Mechanical
- Photocell
Testing the mechanical feature involves placing a brick or piece of wood on the ground in the garage door’s path. When you pull the door downward, it should go back up when it touches the object.
To test the photoelectric system, close the door and slightly pass your leg in its path. The door should reverse. It’s worth noting that most older garage door openers lack this safety feature.
Re-Paint Your Garage Doors
It is vital to inspect wooden garage doors for warping and peeling paint. Likewise, check your steel garage doors for rust spots that may need priming and painting. Besides cleaning your garage door regularly, you should re-paint it every few years to maintain its visual appeal.
Call a Garage Door Specialist
Garage door owners who don’t uphold proper maintenance usually incur expensive repairs and replacements. This garage door maintenance guide will help ensure your garage door rollers, cables, opener’s chain, and other components always function correctly.
If you need garage door maintenance help, want a garage door expert in Hamilton & Burlington, or any products for your steel door, wooden door, or fibreglass doors, contact Active Doors in Hamilton at (905) 689-5308 to request an estimate.