Garage Door Maintenance

Residential garages serve many important purposes, from storage to parking to extensions of living spaces. Garage doors can be a hefty investment, so maintenance and care are important to keep costly repairs at bay. Read on for tips to keep your door performing at its best!

1. Complete Visual Inspection
2. Observe your door from one end to another. Opening and closing the door both automatically and manually, does the door appear to open without issue? The system should function without any unusual clunking sounds and run along the track smoothly, not with jerking movements.
3. Check the Tracks
4. Inspecting the tracks is an easy way to maintain the overall garage door system. Like rain gutters, debris can collect on the tracks and cause issues over time. If you notice buildup, gently brush it away or use a damp rag to clean it off. Similarly, you can inspect the rollers that guide your door through the tracks for damage that may prevent the door from gliding open and closed as intended. Remember, any sign of significant issues should be left for a garage door professional to inspect and possibly repair.
5. Cable Check
6. Visually inspect the cables to your garage door mechanism for any obvious damage such as frays or tears. Should you notice any issue, park your vehicle outside and use other entrances until a professional can assist. Overhead door cables are under high tension and can cause harm if not installed and operating as intended.
7. Apply Lubricant
8. Just as interior door hinges need lubrication from time to time, your overhead door may as well. If you notice your door opening slower than normal, a quick treatment with lubricant could be a simple fix. Use a lubricant made specifically for garage doors and treat the springs, hinges, rollers, tracks, and the opening chain. This will ensure your entire setup will perform with less stress from friction and wear over time.
9. Inspect the Seals
10. Weatherstripping is the rubber seal at the bottom and, in some cases, sides of the garage door that protects it from water damage and other elements. Inspect the seal for any cracks or signs of brittleness and replace it if necessary. A proper seal will keep air and moisture from flowing between the garage and outside, saving you money and maintaining a better interior temperature.
11. Door Check
12. Inspect the door itself for wear and tear. Due to constant outdoor exposure, garage doors can accumulate dirt, grime and debris and need to be cleaned with mild soap and a wet cloth. Damage to the door can cause rust spots that may need to be sanded and repainted on metal doors or warping or other water damage on wood doors.

Maintaining your overhead door can seem like a daunting task, but a quick visual inspection can save you a headache later. Adding this task to an annual household reminder like changing smoke alarm batteries can aid in ensuring you check it off your list. Remember, garage door mechanisms should be inspected by a professional should you notice any issues that cannot be easily addressed as discussed above. This will ensure you have a safe, efficient door for years to come!