To extend your garage door’s lifespan every 6 months to a year you should inspect and take the time to regularly perform preventative care and maintenance. Follow these simple maintenance tips to ensure your garage door functions correctly and to spot any issues before they become serious.
Lubricate the Moving Parts:
Rollers, hinges, and other moving parts need to be kept well lubricated. This will help extend the lifespan of your garage door system by limiting the amount of stress on the door and door opener. Every six months apply a high-quality white lithium grease spray on the hinges, rollers, and tracks. Clean off any excess grease. You may need to use a penetrating spray to free any rollers or hinges that seem to be seized up. After rollers or hinges are unseized, then apply the white lithium grease.
Inspect the Garage Door Tracks:
Your garage door opens and closes using tracks and rollers. If your door seems to stick, make sure the track is clean from any debris and dirt. Dirt can accumulate on the track causing the rollers, springs, and bearings to fail prematurely. Lubricate the rollers with a garage door lubricant spray and then remove any excess lubricant using a damp cloth. If your garage door stills seem to stick, then your garage door tracks or rollers could be off. Any major track adjustments need to be performed by professionals.
Inspect the Weatherstripping:
Weatherstripping is the rubber tread running along the bottom and sides of your garage door. It’s a way to protect the interior of your garage door from the elements outside in addition to stabilizing the home’s internal temperature. Inspect the weatherstripping by closing your garage door and checking to see whether any light comes through the sides or bottom of the door. Look over the stripping for any signs of obvious wear, such as cracked or it’s too rigid and is no longer flexible.
Test Your Garage Door Balance:
Regularly inspect the door balance to ensure the safety of your garage door and opener. To perform your at-home balance test: Close the door from inside the garage and detach the door from the garage door opener by pulling the manual release rope. Move the door manually to open and close. If it sticks, lubricate rollers and hinges. It should move freely. If it still sticks, contact help from a garage door professional.
Inspect Garage Door Opener for Safety:
Eye sensors are located on either side of the garage door. Check to see if they are properly functioning by placing an object that is 6 inches tall at the edge of the door so that it blocks one of the sensors. The garage door should not close if the sensors are working properly. Test the mechanical reverse by placing an object at least 1.5 inches high at the edge of the door. Press the garage door opener to close the garage door. The door should close but then reverse and start opening once it touches the object.
Tighten All Hardware:
Inspect all track brackets and door fasteners making sure everything is tight.
Don’t have time for maintenance on your garage door? Contact A1 Affordable Garage Door Service and set up an appointment. Serving Dallas including Plano, Allen, Addison, McKinney and more.
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