Your garage door is one of the most frequently used entrances to your home, but it’s easy to overlook when it comes to maintenance. Regular garage door maintenance not only keeps your door operating smoothly but also extends its lifespan and prevents costly repairs. In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover essential garage door maintenance tips that every homeowner should know.
1. Lubricate Moving Parts
One of the simplest yet most effective maintenance tasks is to regularly lubricate the moving parts of your garage door. The door’s springs, rollers, tracks, and hinges all need to move smoothly to ensure the door opens and closes without issues. Without lubrication, these components can experience excessive friction, leading to wear and tear, and noisy operation.
Use a silicone-based lubricant to apply a light coat to the rollers, hinges, and tracks. This will keep everything running smoothly and prevent rust from forming.
2. Test the Balance of Your Door
A well-balanced garage door helps reduce stress on the opener and ensures smooth operation. If your door is unbalanced, the opener has to work harder, which can cause it to wear out prematurely. To check your door’s balance, disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway. If it stays in place, the door is balanced. If it moves up or down, the springs may need adjustment.
If your garage door isn’t balanced, it’s best to call a professional to make the necessary adjustments. This is not a DIY task, as it involves handling high-tension springs.
3. Inspect the Rollers and Tracks
Rollers and tracks are essential components that allow your garage door to move up and down smoothly. Over time, rollers can wear out or become damaged, and dirt or debris can accumulate in the tracks. Inspect the rollers at least twice a year and replace any that are cracked, chipped, or worn. Also, clean the tracks regularly to remove debris that could cause the door to become misaligned.
4. Check and Tighten Hardware
With regular use, the nuts, bolts, and screws that hold your garage door system together can loosen. Loose hardware can lead to rattling noises, poor operation, or even cause the door to come off its tracks. Periodically inspect the brackets, hinges, and roller supports and tighten any loose bolts or screws to ensure everything is secure.
5. Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature
Modern garage doors are equipped with an auto-reverse feature that stops the door from closing if it detects an object in its path. This is a critical safety feature, especially if you have children or pets. To test it, place an object like a block of wood in the door’s path and try to close the door. The door should reverse direction upon making contact with the object.
If the auto-reverse feature doesn’t work properly, call a professional to inspect and repair the sensors.
Conclusion for Garage Door Maintenance
Performing regular garage door maintenance is key to ensuring your door operates efficiently and safely. By lubricating moving parts, checking the balance, inspecting rollers and tracks, tightening hardware, and testing safety features, you can prevent major issues and extend the life of your garage door. At Open Sesame Garage Doors Summerlin, we’re here to help with all your maintenance needs and offer professional services to keep your garage door in top shape.
FAQs for Garage Door Maintenance
How often should I lubricate my garage door? It’s recommended to lubricate the moving parts of your garage door at least twice a year to ensure smooth operation.
Why is it important to check the balance of my garage door? An unbalanced garage door puts extra strain on the opener, leading to premature wear and tear and potential malfunctions.
How do I clean the tracks of my garage door? Use a damp cloth or vacuum to remove debris from the tracks, and avoid using grease, which can attract dirt.
What should I do if the auto-reverse feature on my garage door doesn’t work? If the auto-reverse feature doesn’t respond, contact a professional to inspect and repair the system.
When should I replace the rollers on my garage door? Rollers should be replaced if they are cracked, worn, or damaged, which typically happens every 5 to 7 years depending on use.