Your garage door serves as a vital entry point to your home and plays a crucial role in safeguarding your possessions and vehicles. To ensure its smooth operation and longevity, preventive maintenance is key.
In this comprehensive guide, experts from Dlouhy Garage Doors of San Diego will walk you through a series of essential steps and tips for keeping your garage door in optimal condition.
From routine inspections and lubrication to safety checks and troubleshooting, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to proactively care for your garage door, saving you time, money, and potential headaches down the road. Let’s get started!
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How to do preventive maintenance on your garage door?
To ensure that your garage door operates smoothly, efficiently, and safely over the years, proactive preventive maintenance is crucial.
By performing regular tasks, you can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you on your way:
1. Inspect and clean
Begin by visually inspecting your garage door. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, rust, or dents in the door panels. Examine the tracks, rollers, and hinges for any loose or damaged parts.
Finally, clear away any debris, leaves, or cobwebs that may have accumulated in the tracks or around the garage door opener.
2. Lubricate moving parts
Proper lubrication is essential for smooth operation. Apply a silicone-based or lithium-based lubricant to:
- Rollers
- Hinges
- Springs (if not covered)
- Bearings
- Pulleys
- Locks
Avoid using WD-40 or other penetrating oils, as they can attract dirt and grime.
3. Test the balance
Disconnect the opener by pulling the release cord or using the opener’s manual release. Manually lift the door to the halfway point and release it. It should stay in place.
If it falls or rises, it indicates an imbalance that requires adjustment by a professional.
4. Check the auto-reverse safety feature
Place a piece of wood or a roll of paper towels on the ground beneath the door, then close it using the opener or the wall control.
It should automatically reverse when it touches the obstruction. If it doesn’t, consult the owner’s manual or a technician to fix this critical safety feature.
5. Inspect the cables, springs, and hardware
Visually inspect the cables and springs for any signs of fraying, rust, or damage. If you notice any issues, contact a professional technician immediately.
Torsion springs, in particular, should only be adjusted or replaced by experienced technicians due to the high tension they carry.
Make sure you inspect all the nuts, bolts, and screws on both your door and opener for tightness. You can use a socket wrench or a screwdriver to tighten any loose hardware.
6. Test the safety sensors
Ensure that the safety sensors, usually mounted near the bottom of the door tracks, are clean and aligned. Activate the door to close using the opener or control panel.
Wave an object (not your body) in front of the sensors while it’s closing. It should reverse immediately if the sensors detect an obstruction.
8. Weatherstripping inspection
Check the weatherstripping along the bottom of the door to see if there are any signs of wear and damage. Replace any weatherstripping that’s cracked, torn, or no longer providing a proper seal.
9. Test remote controls and keypads
Checking the batteries in your remote controls and wireless keypads is a small yet essential step that tends to be overlooked. Replace them if needed and test each remote and keypad to ensure they work correctly.
10. Schedule professional maintenance
While you can perform many preventive maintenance tasks yourself, it’s essential to schedule regular professional inspections and maintenance.
A technician can identify potential issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye and perform adjustments or repairs as needed.