A garage door is an essential component of every home. Not only does it provide increased convenience (entrance at the touch of a button), it also enhances the curb appeal of most houses. It additionally creates a secure space for both our vehicles and personal belongings.
Yet despite all these benefits, it continues to be something most homeowners take for granted, often forgoing preventative garage door maintenance completely. It is often a malfunction that causes homeowners to start taking notice. By this time, however, it will require professional repair by a local garage door repair company.
Basic, routine maintenance can help extend the life or your garage door and opener, as well as ensure your and your family’s safety. The International Door Association (IDA) recommends checking and testing your garage door system monthly. Here are some preventative garage door maintenance tasks to consider.
Visually Inspect the Door
One of the first things you should do when maintaining your garage door is to visually inspect the door. Simply obverse the door as it moves up and down its tracks. Note any unusual noises, jerky movements, or wear and tear. If something doesn’t look or sound right, a more serious issue could be at play.
Tighten Up the Hardware
Over time, it’s only natural for hardware to loosen, especially considering the number of times the door is used (four times per day on average). Inspect and tighten all roller brackets and the bolts that hold the tracks to the support brackets.
Lubricate all Moving Parts
Apply a small amount of spray lubricant to all moving parts of your garage door. This includes rollers, bearings, hinges, springs, and chains. Most manufacturers suggest using a silicone lubricant or white lithium grease to lubricate those parts. Although it’s a good idea to refer to your owner’s manual.
Test the Garage Door Balance
To find out if the door is balanced, take the following steps:
- Close the garage door
- Pull the door release handle to allow for manual operation
- Lift the door about 3 or 4 feet above the ground. If it stays open, your door is properly balanced. If not, contact a repair professional to adjust it.
Replace the Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping will save you money. Moreover, it can prevent moisture, rodents and debris from getting inside the garage. Replace the weather seal on the bottom of your door if it’s brittle or worn.
Test the Auto-Reverse Mechanism
To ensure the door automatically reverses direction upon contact with an object, place a 2×4 in the center of the garage and activate the opener. If upon contact with the board the door fails to immediately reverse direction, the opener should immediately be disconnected, and a local repair professional contacted.
