It’s not every day we worry about the stability of our garage doors until it ultimately fails. Whether it’s a stuck garage door that won’t go down or garage door damaged by rust, a garage door that does not operate smoothly can require extensive and expensive repairs. It’s important to take the time to check on the structure and functioning of your garage door and apply preventative measures to ensure it operates optimally for decades to come.
Read on to learn about the four key ways to maintain proper care of your garage door.
1. Inspect The Hardware
The first step to take care of your garage is to inspect its interior and exterior hardware for any signs of wear and tear that would have developed over the years of use. This can easily be done by examining both sides of the garage door, and looking at its hinges to ensure they aren’t loose, see if the track is misaligned or if there are any missing bolts. If you see any loose bolts, tighten them and replace the ones that have fallen out. By maintaining the garage door hardware, you can ensure it is in working order for years to come.
2. Lubricate Moving Parts of the Garage Door
One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your garage door functioning smoothly is to lubricate its moving parts. Using a small amount of lubrication on these parts can go a long way in preventing unpleasant noises and allow them to open and close with ease. Using a 3 in 1 type of oil lubricant on the hinges, rollers, tracks, door opener and opener chain can keep it in peak condition.
3. Test the Garage Door’s Balance
When a garage door is not balanced properly and is off track, its opener has to work twice as hard to open and close the door each time. When the opener has to work beyond its means, the door itself can succumb to wear much sooner. Check the balance of the garage door by first disconnecting the opener by releasing the handle. Then, lower the door about halfway and if it remains in position without your assistance, this is a good indicator that the door is balanced. If the door begins to collapse or raise up, you will likely need to have the spring tensions adjusted.
4. Wash the Garage Door
Washing your garage door not only improves its appearance but also removes built-up dirt, debris, and grime from the previous season. During the cooler months, you may be less willing to wash the door, which is why more dirt and debris have accumulated on it. Ensure you apply a thorough cleaning to the surface to remove any debris and especially if you detect mold.
Sam’s Garage Doors offers premium residential and commercial garage doors that provide home and business owners with doors that can enhance their property. Offering supreme durability, security, fast installation, and garage door repair, we deliver exceptional service on each garage door project. Get a quote from us today.