Garage doors are a convenient way to give visitors immediate access to your home and keep them out when you’re not there. However, they can also ruin your home’s aesthetic appeal. The constant exposure to the elements, and everyday wear and tear, can all take their toll on your garage door.
Regular garage door maintenance is essential to preserving the overall condition of your garage door and keeping it operating at peak efficiency. This guide provides helpful tips in identifying maintenance needs and planning for an annual professional maintenance inspection to keep your garage in good shape year after year.
Why Is Garage Door Maintenance Important?
Garage doors are typically exposed to the elements and are in constant use, leading to several issues. Here are five reasons why garage door maintenance is essential:
1. Noisy Doors
A properly maintained garage door will open and close smoothly, reducing sound pollution in your home. On the other hand, a neglected door may make a lot of noise when opened or closed.
2. Deteriorating Door Springs
If your springs aren’t regularly lubricated, they can become brittle and snap over time. This can lead to mechanical and safety issues.
3. Rusty Tracks
Over time, if you neglect track lubrication, your tracks can become rusty and corroded. This can result in broken tracks that need expensive repair or replacement.
4. Safetys Issue
A neglected garage door could also pose safety hazards.
5. Dirt Build up
Most garages have plenty of dirt and grime that accumulates over the year. Dirt buildup near the bottom of the garage door is one telltale sign that maintenance is needed.
Types of Damage and Consequences
As with any other part of your home, your garage door is susceptible to damage from the elements. Prolonged exposure to the elements can erode the paint and leave rust streaks on the door. Your door may even develop cracks that allow water to seep in and cause irreversible damage. Your garage door can also suffer damage from inside forces. Damage from vehicles or people is common. People often drive into the garage without first lowering their car’s hood or closing the trunk, leading to damage to the door as well as the vehicle.
The good news is that these types of problems are easy to fix most of the time, but you need to know what you’re doing before you start pulling on wires or handles on the door. It’s always best to contact a professional before proceeding with any repair work so they can inspect and assess the situation for safety purposes.
What Does Garage Door Maintenance Include?
According to the Door and Hardware Institute, garage door maintenance includes a variety of tasks that should be completed by a Raynor Authorized Dealer.
- Cleaning the track.
- Lubricating gears, rollers, and other moving parts with a silicone spray.
- Inspecting the springs for damage.
- Replacing old weather stripping around the perimeter of the door when necessary.
- Tightening all fasteners.
- Inspecting components such as hinges, cables, brackets, and pulleys for signs of wear or damage that may need to be replaced or repaired.
What To Look For Yourself
It’s important to keep in mind that you should regularly check the door yourself. It’s not uncommon for people to call a garage door company and pay them to come out only to find that the problem is something they could’ve fixed themselves; however, repairs or replacement of springs, cables or rollers should be done by a trained professional
Here are some things you’ll want to look for when it comes time for your annual maintenance.
- Garage Door Lubrication: Lubricating your garage door is often all that it takes to stop a squeaky noise. For most people, all you need is grease or WD-40, but for those who live in areas with an environment that includes salt, it may be advisable to use lithium grease. You’ll want to apply this lubricant at least once a year or more if the doors make noise frequently.
- Checking Your Hinges: Garage doors have hinges on both sides, so you have two sets of hinges on each door. These are what allow the garage door panel to swing up and down when opened and closed. As they age, they can become worn down and cause problems with the operational capacity of your door panels.
- Examining The Frame: Garage frame deterioration can result in structural issues with your garage door operation and create safety hazards around your home. In some cases, this issue can be resolved by lubricating or adjusting the joints of the frame; other times, replacing parts will be required.
What a Professional Will Do
The contractor will do an inspection and assess the condition of your door. They’ll then use the assessment to outline a plan for what needs to be done to get it in proper working order again. The evaluation may include:
- Replacing weather stripping
- Repairing or replacing springs
- Replacing cables
- Installing new rollers
Once the assessment is complete, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done. It’s important to remember that if your garage door doesn’t operate properly, it’s more than just a cosmetic issue and requires immediate repair.
Conclusion
To avoid the cost and inconvenience of a garage door repair, it is crucial to schedule annual maintenance. Not only does this help protect your garage door from damage, but it will also extend the life of the unit and ensure that your door is operating at its best. To learn more about how to repair your garage door, please get in touch with one of Raynor’s authorized dealers today.
