7 Maintenance Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Garage Door
By Rebecca Siggers
Having a garage door that is continually breaking down can be frustrating. Imagine that you are just about to leave for an important meeting only for your garage door to jam! That can be the start of a bad day, not to mention that it will also cost you to have it repaired.
But your day doesn’t have to start like that. If you conduct routine maintenance on the door, then you will avoid such inconveniences. So, what can you do to ensure that your garage door functions correctly untimely? Well, below are some guidelines, including 4 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Garage Door.
1. Be Attentive to Unusual Sounds
If your garage door is squeaking, then you can be sure that something is wrong. Of course, there is the usual noise that the garage door makes. But if you hear a different sound, something could be a miss.
A strange noise is one of the easiest ways to tell that your garage door is about to malfunction. If you ignore it, you’ll become used to it, and one day, you’ll wake up and find something broken, or the door stuck.
A grinding noise could indicate that there is a problem with the alignment of the door. A creaking or strained noise could mean that the motor is about to malfunction and needs replacement.
You may not be aware that you know your garage sound, but everyone does, they just don’t realize it. If you feel that something is off, then don’t sit on it; have it checked immediately.
2. Lubricate Moving Parts
You should not wait until you hear noises as you open or close the garage door for you to know that it’s time to lubricate moving parts. Make this a routine practice. If you wait for noise, it means that the metal parts would already be grinding against each other, which would shorten their lifespan.
For smooth operation, you should regularly lubricate moving parts such as springs, rollers, tracks, and hinges. This will not only ensure that they move smoothly but will also extend their lifespan.
Ensure that you use appropriate mental lubricant since using the wrong lubricant could also cause problems. It is a good idea to spray the lubricant every few weeks to ensure that the lubrication does not dry up.
3. Inspect Cables and Springs
The parts that pull the garage door are two of its most essential parts. These are the springs and cables. If you do not want your door to be stuck, then always ensure that these parts are in good working condition.
The cables and springs are found on each side of the door. These parts wear out every time the garage door opens or closes. If you notice that the springs are fraying, know that it is time to replace or repair them.
While you can attempt most maintenance practices on your garage door, it is advisable to call a professional to handle the springs and cables. These are the lifeline if your garage door and if you get things wrong, your door might not work.
4. Maintain the Tracks
The next most important parts you should pay attention to after the springs and cables are the tracks. Ensure that you clean these parts regularly so that dirt and grime do not accumulate on them.
Grime and dirt are not the only things you need to look out for. Also, make sure that there is no obstruction on the tracks that could cause damages. Experts recommend using a piece of cloth dipped in methylated spirit to clean the tracks.
5. Have Regular Professional Inspection
The typical homeowner is not a garage door professional. Therefore, while you may pay attention to the functionality of your door, there are things you might not notice.
The best way to ensure that your garage door does not stall is to have a professional regularly inspect it. A professional has a comprehensive list of the areas to check. A regular professional checkup should complement your regular maintenance.
Some critical areas that a professional might help with include alignment of the door, state of the roller motor. To an untrained eye, these parts could be worn out, but you could be inspecting them and not realize.
6. Keep the Garage Door Clean
Always keep your garage door as clean as possible. But cleaning a garage door is not as easy as it sounds. Many people can take months or even never clean their garage doors.
Cleaning the garage door ensures that there is no dust or any debris that may cause obstruction or damage other parts. Professional garage door installers note that materials that can easily be removed by cleaning are often the leading cause of garage door damage.
When cleaning the garage door, ensure that you wipe all moving parts using recommended materials. This will ensure that the parts can move smoothly.
You can create a homemade cleaning solution from warm water mixed with mild dish soap. Use a microfiber or a soft cloth to wipe the door. If there are any tough stains, you can use oxygen bleach and water to scrub the stain.
Removing dirt, grease, debris, and other contaminants will keep the door clean and prevent damage on the metal parts and weatherstripping.
7. Inspect and Maintain the Weatherstripping Regularly
That rubber strip at the bottom of the garage plays a vital role in the functioning of the door. Most people think it is only for protecting the items inside.
It is advisable to clean and lubricate the weatherstripping every month. This prevents it from degrading, cracking, or breaking and prolong its lifespan.
Conclusion
Having an automatic garage is an excellent addition to your home. You will have an easy operation as you can simply open and close it using a remote. However, it requires regular maintenance for it to last long.
Installing a new garage door is not cheap, and neither is repairing some parts. You can save both of these costs by merely conducting routine maintenance. Apart from the costs, having a screeching and squeaky garage door is not something you want to experience every morning as you leave for work.
Author Bio
Rebecca Siggers is a full-time content marketing specialist and a passionate writer who loves to write about creating an aesthetic and ambient living environment for everyone. She focuses on sharing ideas and techniques learned from his experience in a concise manner so that it can be used by everyone to make their surroundings beautiful to live in. Currently, She’s shares lots of expert advice on Garage Door Repair.
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