What Maintenance Should Be Done on a Garage Door?
Regular maintenance on a garage door helps ensure its smooth operation, extends its lifespan, and prevents costly repairs. Simple tasks can keep your garage door in optimal condition and improve safety.
Common Garage Door Maintenance Tasks
- Lubricating Moving Parts: Reduces friction and prevents wear on the door’s components.
- Inspecting for Wear and Tear: Identifies issues like frayed cables, worn rollers, or misaligned tracks.
- Checking the Balance: Ensures the door is evenly distributed and reduces strain on the opener.
- Tightening Hardware: Prevents loose bolts or brackets from causing operational problems.
Steps for Garage Door Maintenance
1. Inspection and Assessment
Regular inspections help identify potential problems before they escalate.
- Visual Inspection: Look for signs of rust, damage, or wear on the door, tracks, and hardware.
- Operational Check: Test the door’s opening and closing to ensure smooth movement and listen for unusual noises.
2. Cleaning and Lubricating
Keeping the door and its components clean is essential for long-term functionality.
- Clean the Door: Wash the door with mild soap and water to remove dirt and grime.
- Lubricate Components: Apply a silicone-based lubricant to rollers, hinges, and springs to reduce friction.
3. Adjustments and Repairs
Making minor adjustments can prevent major problems down the line.
Balancing the Door
- Disconnect the Opener: Pull the release handle to test the door manually.
- Check the Balance: Lift the door halfway. If it stays in place, it’s balanced; if not, it may need adjustment.
- Call a Professional: For spring adjustments, always hire a trained technician to avoid injury.
Tightening Hardware
- Inspect Bolts and Brackets: Check for loose or missing screws and bolts.
- Secure Connections: Use a wrench to tighten any loose hardware.
Safety Feature Testing
- Test Auto-Reverse: Place a small object under the door to ensure it reverses upon contact.
- Inspect Photo Eyes: Clean the photo-eye sensors and ensure they are properly aligned.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
Taking preventative steps can save you time and money in the long run.
Scheduled Maintenance
- Bi-Annual Checkups: Perform maintenance tasks at least twice a year to ensure optimal performance.
- Post-Storm Inspections: Check for damage after severe weather to avoid operational issues.
Keep Components Clean
- Clear Tracks: Remove debris from the tracks to prevent obstructions.
- Inspect Rollers: Replace any cracked or worn rollers as needed.
Professional Maintenance
- Annual Tune-Up: Hire a professional technician to perform a comprehensive inspection and tune-up.
- Spring Replacement: Leave spring replacements to professionals to ensure safety.
