There is no other part of your home that experiences as much wear and tear as your garage door. You never realize how often you use your garage door until the day it breaks.
Most families in the United States use the garage as the main entrance to their home, and they use it several times a day, thousands of times a year. When kept in good working order, it can provide security and storage at your convenience.
Having a garage can really make life easier, but when it’s not taken care of it can become a safety risk for you, your family, and especially the kids. With normal wear and tear, a garage door cable can break or a garage door opener can malfunction, resulting in a hazard to your belongings and anyone near your door.
To keep it running smoothly, routine maintenance is essential to avoid costly repairs. The following top 10 garage door maintenance tips for homeowners will help your door perform properly for years to come. These maintenance tips require no special skills and generally take less than 10 minutes each to complete.
Required Materials Required
Avoid last-minute trips to the hardware store by having all your supplies on-site and ready in advance. You may not use all of the tools listed, but having them available will save you time and frustration.
- Keyset
- Measuring tape
- hammer
- Pliers
- screw gun
- weatherstrip
- Lubricant/Cleaner (WD-40)
- white lithium grease
- Toothbrush
- flat blade screwdriver
- Garage door rollers
Security First
To ensure safety while working in your garage, remember to never remove the lift cable. Garage cables are under extreme tension and will cut like a knife if they come loose.
Never try to tighten or loosen garage door springs. This is a job that should be left to the professionals only.
1.) Pay attention
When was the last time you visually inspected your garage door? you may not be a certified technicianbut you can take the time to check out your garage.
If you have a metal garage, look for rust spots. These areas should be sanded, primed and painted. If you have a wooden garage door, it should be checked for water damage. If not sealed properly, your wooden garage can warp and lose its shape over time.
It’s also a good idea to wash the door regularly with an all-purpose cleaner. Your garage door makes up a large part of the exterior of your home, so keeping it clean and presentable will have a positive effect on the appearance of your home.
2.) Look and listen to your door as it works
Do you have a noisy garage door? Do the spring pulleys and cables on both sides look symmetrical? Does it move smoothly? Or does it shake in certain places?
Taking the time to look and listen to your garage each time you use it is the best precaution any homeowner can take. By doing this, you’ll notice when something doesn’t sound right or when something seems out of place.
3.) Testing the balance
First, unplug the opener. To do this, pull the red handle at the end of the red cord. Once disconnected, open the door halfway. If the garage door starts to close on its own, then the garage door is not balanced properly. Door springs need to be readjusted. We recommend that you contact a certified professional to repair or replace your springs.
Your garage opener will have to work harder if the door is not properly balanced. Ultimately, this will shorten the life of the door.
4.) Safety test functions (auto reverse)
There are two security mechanisms in your garage: mechanical and photocell. A door that does not have these safety features is outdated and should be replaced immediately.
To test the mechanical security feature in your garage, place a solid object on the ground in the path of the garage door. When the garage touches the object while closing, it should go back up automatically.
When testing the photocell feature in your garage, simply place your leg in the path of the door as you close it. Your leg will come into contact with the photoelectric beam (not visible) that passes through the bottom of the door. The garage should automatically reverse once your leg comes into contact with the photoelectric beam.
5.) Visually inspect your cables
You should never touch the wires. These high voltage cables are responsible for lifting the door. They are powerful enough to cause serious injury, even death. You can also visually inspect garage cables for broken strands or anything that is out of order. If you see that there is damage, we recommend that you hire a professional.
6.) Delete the tracks
Notice the footprints on both sides of the door. Clean garage door tracks free of debris and trash. Also, check for any physical damage making sure it is straight and aligned. Tracks that are damaged can cause the door to be rough and noisy.
Spray garage tracks with a citrus-based solvent or WD-40, then wipe everything down with a cloth. If necessary, use an old toothbrush to loosen dirt and grime, then wipe clean.
Any major repairs or adjustments to the tracks should be done by a professional garage door technician.
7.) Apply oil to moving parts
Ten minutes of work can add years to the life of your garage door. Keeping the door parts lubricated will keep the garage running smoothly and quietly. You should use white lithium grease on the garage opener chain and spray lubricants on the rollers, hinges, bearings, and rails. Also apply grease to the garage door opener chain or drive screw.
Remember, never try to do any work on the springs or cables. Leave that to the professionals.
8.) Replace weather stripping (if needed)
The weatherstrip is the piece of rubber attached to the bottom of the door. It’s called a U-shaped astragalus. It prevents rainwater, debris, and rodents from entering your garage. Check along the side of the door and adjust the stripping if necessary.
You should replace the rubber door seal if it begins to crack and crumble. Use a flat blade screwdriver to remove the old weatherstrip before installing a new one.
They are easily found at any hardware store like Home Depot or Lowe’s and are usually sold by the foot. All you have to do is find the width that works best for your situation, cut it to fit your garage, and then install it. You can also contact your local garage company if you have any further questions or concerns.
9.) Check all the bolts and screws on your door
Examine and tighten the roller brackets and bolts with a (box) wrench. The average garage opens and closes more than a thousand times a year. It’s easy for hardware, screws and bolts to loosen with all the movement and vibration.
10.) Replace the rollers
Garage rollers that are cracked, worn, or chipped should be replaced immediately. You should only attempt to replace the rollers if they are not connected to the door’s cable system.
Whether you have nylon rollers or steel rollers in your garage, they should be inspected at least twice a year and replaced every 7 years. If you use your door more often then you should inspect your rollers more often throughout the year.
professional tuning
If you still feel you don’t have enough time to do this type of checkup, call a garage door professional to make an appointment. Most garage companies offer affordable tune-up services to keep your garage door running smoothly.