Importance Of Maintaining Your Garage Door
How to Properly Maintain Your Garage Door
The garage door is often the last thing you will see when leaving your house and the first thing that will greet you upon return. For your garage door to operate safely and smoothly, it needs a little maintenance. Highlighted below are steps to help you maintain your garage door.
Materials and Tools
For this procedure, you will need a broom, a bucket, cleaning cloths or sponges, and non-silicon lubricants such as motor oil.
Cleaning Your Garage Door
The outside of your garage door should be cleaned once a year, or more frequently for those who live in salt-air climates. Outlined below are the steps to be followed:
• Wash your garage door with a soft cloth or sponge together with a cleaner appropriate for your door’s surface. It is recommended that you follow the directions of the cleaning product you use.
• Remember to rinse your garage door thoroughly with a hose. For a wooden door, you can clean the outside by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth. You may need to repaint or stain it.
• You should make it upon yourself to inspect your garage door once every year or as need arises, all depending on the quality of finish and climate. This inspection will help in determining whether or not your garage door needs painting or staining.
• Depending on the condition of your garage door, clean the inside the same way as outside. If it is relatively clean, then you can use a soft broom to remove debris and cobwebs.
Inspecting Your Garage Door for Safety
You should visually inspect the condition of your garage door’s torsion and extension springs every three months and ensure they are operating correctly. Torsion springs are those round springs mounted above your garage door while extension springs are the long springs that stretch horizontally above your door’s roller tracks.
If any of these parts are worn out or broken, you should replace them. Remember to wear gloves whenever you handle springs and any other parts to avoid pinching. Follow the steps outlined below to inspect your garage door for safety:
• Inspect hinges, brackets, cables, tracks, and rollers for condition. During this inspection, ensure all the screws and bolts are tight. Replace any frayed or worn out parts.
• Test your garage door’s balance. Disconnect the power to the door’s opener and disengage the opener. To do this, pull the cord and handle hanging from the door’s trolley on the central track. You should then lift the door manually to your waist level and release it slowly.
• If it rises or drops, then it is not correctly balanced, and you should call in a trained technician to adjust it. You may also consult the owner’s manual for safe procedures on how to balance your garage door.
Lubricating Your Garage Door
You should lubricate your door’s bearings, springs, and hinges as recommended by the manufacturer. Follow the steps outlined below:
• All-metal rollers should be lubricated using non-silicon-based lubricants. For nylon rollers, you should ensure that no oil comes into contact with the rollers.
• Clean your garage door’s tracks with brake cleaner and a cloth. Remember to wear gloves when handling brake cleaners.
• Make any necessary repairs or call in a trained technician to help you.
If your garage door is broken or you would like more advice on maintenance then contact us today! We are happy to help!
