8 Essential Garage Door Maintenance Tips You Can't Ignore
A properly maintained garage door guarantees durability, safety, and protection along with enhancing the exterior appearance of your house. Expensive repairs and unanticipated issues are easily avoided with periodic upkeep.
To assist you with maintaining your garage door, here is an in-depth checklist on how to maintain garage door:
1. Consistent Cleaning
Dust, grime, and salt residues—which may lead to oxidation in coastal areas — accumulate on doors to garages as time passes. This may damage or harm the aesthetic appeal of your house. The aesthetic appeal of the door is maintained and decay of the material is prevented with periodic cleaning.
To maintain garage door and prevent oxidation, you can follow the below tips:
Surface Cleaning: Clean the external side of the garage door with mild detergent using a soft cloth or sponge and warm water. Because the bottom portion is inclined to accumulate dirt and be exposed to dampness, pay close attention to it.
Rinsing: Rinse well with fresh water to get rid of soap leftover.
Drying: Use a new cotton towel for wiping the door and dry out the surface and prevent water stains.
Expert Advice: To prevent rust and corrosion, it's advised to hose down the doors regularly in residences that are close to the beach.
2. Hardware Checking and Fixing
Garage door hardware parts may become loose or free with repeated or regular usage, which could result in problems with functioning or risk to safety and security.
Things you should need to pay attention are:
Fasteners and Screws: The paths, rolling elements, and sliders ought to all have their bolts(fasteners) and screws checked and fitted regularly.
The brackets that hold the door's rails to the ceiling should be sturdy and undamaged.
Lift Cables: Lift cables should be inspected for rusting, tearing, or damage. Regarding a replacement, get in touch with a qualified professional if impairment appears.
Expert Advice: Hardware can be kept from becoming more serious by periodically having it examined and repaired.
3. Lubricate Moving Components
Garage door parts can last longer because of adequate oiling, and it additionally guarantees uninterrupted operation and lowers stress.
Lubricate the following parts of the garage door to make sure it operates effortlessly:
Tracks and rollers: Lubricate the rolling parts and tracks using a silicone-based spray or garage door lubricants.
Hinges: Lube the hinges on both sides to allow for effortless movement.
Springs: To preserve the way they work, gently cover the springs.
Expert Advice: The use of oil-based lubricants should be avoided since they may attract particles and dirt that can cause build-up and possible obstructions.
4. Examining the Level/Balance of the Door
An opener and other parts may be stressed because of an unbalanced garage door, which could cause premature deterioration.
Things to Check Balance or Level of Garage Door:
Manual Operation: When opening the door manually, pull off the button to disconnect the automatic opener.
Movement Check: To check for movement, raise the door midway and then lower it. A symmetrical door ought to stay in place on its own. It might not be levelled or balanced if it slides up or down.
Expert Advice: Contact an experienced garage door technician to adjust the tension on the springs if there appears to be an imbalance. Since springs are subjected to great tension and can be hazardous, do not attempt this yourself.
5. Assessing and Modifying Rollers
The garage door moves smoothly along its rails thanks to rollers. Operating issues might result from old or broken rollers.
Steps for Examination:
Visual Check: Look for wear, chipping or breaks on the rollers.
Rotation Test: Roll the door gently while watching how it's rollers spin or move. They ought to glide and roll effortlessly.
Suggestions for Replacement:
Material Consideration: When it comes to sound levels and repairs, nylon rollers are considered better than steel ones.
Expert Requirement: To guarantee proper setup and safety, it is best that you hire an expert to fix the rollers whenever necessary.
Expert Advice: Check rollers often and replace them every five to seven years, or periodically especially if you use your garage door several times a day.
Related - Garage Door Troubles: Knowing When to Repair & When to Replace
6. Assessing Weather Stripping
The garage door is sealed by weatherproof stripping, which keeps out humidity, drafts, and pests. Moisture intrusion and impaired energy utilisation might result from damaged weather stripping.
Steps for Examine Weather Stripping:
Physical Assessment: Examine the weather stripping along the door's sides and bottom for any breaks, cuts, or gaps.
Seal Integrity: Make sure that at all times your door shuts completely, it creates an airtight seal.
Steps Required for Replacing Weather Stripping:
Eliminate the dirt or debris: Clean the entire surface in order to get rid of any debris and then carefully remove the outdated weather stripping.
Sizing and Installation: Ensure that the seal is snug by measuring and cutting the new weather stripping to fit before securing it firmly.
Expert Advice: Choose weather stripping materials made for your area's climate, particularly in coastal regions where defence from UV rays and humidity is essential.
7. Keeping Corrosion at Bay
Salty air can hasten the rusting of metal parts in coastlines. Frequent upkeep can reduce this risk.
Ways to Prevent Corrosion:
Continual Cleaning: To get rid of salt leftovers, wash your door and its parts regularly.
Protective Coatings: To give metal components like springs, hinges, and tracks a barrier against humidity, lightly lubricate them.
Rust Treatment: If corrosion is found, go for rust treatment
Garage door maintenance is very important as it prevents the garage door from damage, saves your money and maintains the aesthetic look of your house. Maintaining your garage door involves regularly washing it, lubricating metal parts, physically inspecting parts such as weather stripping, rollers, door level, and so on, or by contacting a garage door service team who can inspect your door for any damage and get it fixed as soon as possible in order to prevent further damage.
At Alpha Doors, we provide 24/7 emergency service, garage door repair service, and also build custom doors to suit your requirements.