Read below for how underrated garage door maintenance can be! Proper maintenance is the key to saving money on costly repairs or replacements.
Each season has its own set of harsh weather conditions that your garage door has to endure for an extended period. For this reason, one of the most important things you can do for your garage door is to make sure it stays well-maintained so it can combat these conditions easily and without sustaining any damage.
Keeping your garage door in good working order extends its lifespan and ensures it functions properly at all times and in all weather conditions. Moreover, a little garage door maintenance can save you from having to replace the whole garage door, which is much more expensive.
Steps for Maintaining Your Garage Door
Below are some steps you can take to keep your garage door running smoothly all year round:
1. Check the Cables and Pulleys
Cables and pulleys are essential components of all garage door systems. The cables support the door while lifting and lowering, while pulleys help guide them along the track.
Over time, cables and pulleys can become worn or damaged. A frayed cable could break while in use. If a cable breaks or snaps under tension and whips back in. a worst-case scenario, it could cause severe injury or damage to property. Furthermore, if one cable breaks, other cables will likely follow soon after.
Your owner’s manual should have some tips on checking the cables and pulleys for signs of damage. But leave the job to a professional. That way, you won’t hurt yourself or damage any components. Our team of technicians knows just how to perform a broken cable replacement, so let them handle it for you.
2. Lubricate the Moving Parts
Lubricating the moving parts on your garage door will keep them working smoothly and help prevent corrosion. This can also help prevent any problematic grinding noises. If your garage door is noisy while operating, garage door lubrication might be the perfect remedy.
Lubricate the moving parts of your garage door twice a year. The chain, the screw drive, and the spring bearings, along with any pulleys, rollers, and hinges will all need this. Use a silicone-based lubricant or white lithium grease found at your local department store.
Lubricants reduce friction between metal surfaces and prevent the buildup of dust and debris. Using oil will attract dust and dirt, causing even more damage than if you did nothing at all.
3. Repair or Replace the Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is the rubber seal running along both sides of your garage door opening. The weatherstripping seals the gap between the door and the floor to keep water, pests, and drafts out. Over time, weatherstripping can become brittle and crack, allowing things to come through and damage your garage.
If only a few small gaps are in the stripping, take it down and repair them with a tube of clear silicone caulk. If the stripping is missing or has quite a bit of damage, have one of our professional technicians at Door Serv Pro replace it as soon as possible.
4. Test the Door Balance
A balanced garage door will stay put when opened halfway, but it should begin to close on its own when released. You can let go, and a balanced garage door won’t slam shut. If your garage door is not balanced, it will need more energy to operate. Unbalanced doors pose a safety risk, and also wear out other hardware parts faster, like the cables and the tracks.
To check the balance of your door, make sure it starts in the closed position. Pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the opener from the door. Carefully raise the door about halfway – it should remain in position without assistance. If the door falls, this means your springs have worn out and need adjusting. Adjusting springs can be dangerous, so call Door Serv Pro for help.
One of our garage door professionals will know how much or little a spring will need tightening. If it’s a quarter turn too much, it could be too much resistance, and your current garage door springs won’t last much longer. Call Door Serv Pro for immediate garage door spring repair.
Contact Door Serv Pro For Garage Door Maintenance!
Keep your garage door working correctly by performing a few checks at the beginning of each season. Anytime it goes from cooler weather to warmer weather, and vice versa, is the perfect time for a maintenance check of your garage door. Moreover, regular maintenance saves money by preventing minor issues from becoming severe problems. The steps above about the garage door balance test can help keep your garage door in good form.
If anything breaks or malfunctions with your garage door, always call a garage door professional from Door Serv Pro to fix it. Trying to repair your garage yourself can cause even more harm. Contact Door Serv Pro today for all your garage door needs.
