Home Improvement Ideas

Homeowner’s Guide to Garage Door Maintenance

Homeowner’s Guide to Garage Door Maintenance
Written by Shiyamala

Are you already running late because you overslept? And now the stuck garage door is holding your car inside hostage. Who are you going to blame for this crazy morning? 

Imagine coming back home after a long day at work, and the traffic on the way back was the worst it had been in years. But your day has not yet ended. You can’t park the car in the garage because the garage door is still stubbornly shut after all your best efforts. What or who could be the culprit? It is most probably the accumulated effect of a neglected garage door.

Like all machinery you use daily, garage doors require regular cleaning, maintenance and lubrication. Do not overlook this major access point to your house, it may end up as not only an inconvenience but also a security risk.

So to avoid any more frustration due to a faulty garage door, consider utilizing the following garage door maintenance measures.

1. Pay Attention to the Tracks

Debris and rust build up on garage door tracks and runners over time. This may affect the functionality of the door because the door roller and other parts cannot move smoothly. Use a toothbrush to loosen dirt, sludge, or grease from your roller tracks. Next, spray them with disc brake cleaner after removing substantial buildup with a brush. Lastly, to remove the cleaner and any remaining grease or debris, wipe the tracks with a clean rag.

2. Tighten All the Nuts and Bolts

The vibration of the equipment as the garage door opens and closes might loosen the door hardware, like brackets, chain screws, and fasteners. Make sure that the brackets that support the garage door tracks to the roof and walls are tightened properly. Throughout the garage door inspect and tighten any loose nuts and bolts, and replace any rusted or damaged components.

3. Inspect The Rollers

Your garage door rollers may wear out over time. Check these parts twice a year as part of your routine maintenance. The rollers need to be changed every five to seven years. If a roller has cracked, chipped, or worn, replace it. However, the cables attached to the bottom roller brackets have high tension recoil. If you attempt to fix this component without sufficient understanding, you risk harm or injury. Call the professionals to repair and lubricate moving parts and rollers on your garage door.

4. The Cables, Springs, And Pulleys

You should not try to replace these components yourself, as they have high tension recoil, but you can inspect them for wear and tear. The garage door’s lift cables and pulleys connect with the roller brackets, forming a link between the springs and the door. Your garage door system will determine which springs you have.

Extension springs are long, thin springs that run along the top or bottom of the door tracks. Whereas torsion springs are a type of spring that’s attached to a metal rod over the door entrance. Examine the springs for any broken strands, overstretched springs, or other signs of wear and tear. If you detect problems, make an appointment with a professional garage door repair technician to have the parts inspected and replaced.

5. Check The Door Balance

The tension in the springs determines the balance of your garage door. Your garage door is out of balance if the spring tension is too big or too small. Consequently, your garage door opener will have to put more effort to operate the door, creating more strain on the system.

To check the balance of your garage door, open it manually by pulling the release handle on your automatic opener. Open the garage door halfway by lifting it from the closed position. If the door is balanced, it will stay in this position even if you let it go. The system is imbalanced if the door closes or springs open. While you can check your garage door balance yourself, do not try to fix it without the assistance of a professional. Call your local garage door repair service to balance your garage door. 

6. Inspect and Replace Weatherstripping

The rubber, PVC, or other material that runs along the bottom of the garage door is known as weatherstripping. Some may be on the sides of your door as well. When the door is closed, weatherstripping helps prohibit unwanted elements like dust and hot air in the summer and cold air in the winter. This material may crack or peel away from the garage door or the insides over time. Replace your weatherstripping if you notice any flaws.

7. Check The Door Panels

Inspect the panels of the door for signs of damage. Wooden doors are prone to warping, chipping, and water damage. Remove any peeling or damaged paint, sand the door, and repaint it. On the steel doors; look for rust spots and sand, prime, and paint them, and on fiberglass doors; use an all-purpose cleaner to clean the surface.

8. Lubrication

Use either silicone or lithium grease to lubricate your garage door. It’s not necessary to lubricate every part of your garage door system. Parts that need lubrication include rollers, hinges, springs, pulleys, and bearings. You can also lubricate tracks if recommended by a technician. 

How often should you perform maintenance?

In most situations, simply inspecting your door two times a year is sufficient to keep your overhead door and garage door opener in good working order. Simply Maintaining The Door Seasonally will ensure everything is operating as it should.

You will only require emergency maintenance or repairs if you discover problems with your garage door, such as strange noises or faulty door operation. Additional inspections and maintenance services might be needed if your city suffered severe weather, such as heavy rains or floods, or if the car or any large piece of gear atop it slams into the door. 

Author Bio: Ran Kroynish is an experienced handyman who’s been working for Elite Garage Door & Gate Repair for 10 years. When he’s not fixing garage doors, he likes to share his repair ideas and knowledge with others.

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