Your garage door is an important feature on your home or building, but one that also undergoes a significant amount of stress during daily operations. For this reason, regular maintenance will be necessary for any garage door you hope will last for many years — and preventive maintenance, or maintenance that helps prevent major issues before they arise, is a key form to be focused on.
At Price’s Guaranteed Doors, we’re proud to offer a wide range of garage door repair services, including a number of themes that speak to forms of preventive maintenance for your garage door. Either on your own or with the assistance of our team of garage door pros, what are some of the top themes we recommend for preventive maintenance on any garage door? Here’s a primer.
Watch/Listen for Unusual Behavior
First and foremost, you’ll have a good idea of your garage’s normal operations within just a few days or weeks of installing it — and once you have this baseline, you can look and listen for anything outside the norm. If you start to hear loud noises, see unusual wear or tear on the door or track, or the door isn’t opening and closing as smoothly as it used to, it’s time for some preventive maintenance.
In many cases, these visible signs or noises you notice won’t actually be the causes of the issues themselves. Rather, they’re serving as ways of informing you that something is wrong and needs to be addressed — so it’s important to monitor your garage door closely for any changes in its behavior.
Clean & Lube the Moving Parts
Another key way of preventing big issues from arising with your garage door is by regularly cleaning and lubricating the moving parts. This includes the track, hinges, rollers, and springs, and should be done every 3-6 months, or anytime you notice any dirt, dust, or debris building up.
Not only will this help keep everything running smoothly, but it’ll also help to extend the lifespan of your garage door’s moving parts. And if anything does happen down the road, you’ll at least have cleaned and lubricated it beforehand — which will make repairs significantly easier (and more affordable).
Regularly Check on Rollers
Your garage door’s rollers serve a key function in allowing the door to move effortlessly and gently — but they also need proper care and maintenance. They should be regularly checked for any signs of issue, including cracks, punctures, or a buildup of hairline fractures.
When your garage door is closed, it’s best to check each roller by hand for true movement and smooth pivoting. If you notice any issues, it’s time to schedule garage door roller repair right away.
Many of the problems with rollers are actually relatively easy fixes when they’re caught early enough — so when in doubt, simply take a quick stroll around your garage door and check for any visible signs that may be related to roller issues. And if you’re unsure what you’re looking for here, a quick call to our team for assistance is all that’s needed.
Tighten Nuts and Bolts
One task most homeowners can handle on their own: Periodically checking visible nuts and bolts on the garage door to ensure they’re all tight and in good condition. Overtightening or under-tightening can cause all sorts of problems down the road, so it’s always best to check periodically and adjust as needed.
This is a simple task, but one that should not be overlooked when it comes to preventive maintenance for your garage door. Connections that are too loose may lead to the door not shutting completely, which in turn can cause a number of different problems. And connections that are too tight may lead to premature wear and tear — or even a broken part.
Clear Tracks of Debris or Obstructions
You should also check the tracks of your garage door on a regular basis to ensure they’re clear of any debris or obstructions. This includes leaves, twigs, dirt, ice, snow, and anything else that may accumulate over time and cause the door to operate improperly.
In some cases, you may be able to clear the tracks yourself by using a broom or other long-handled tool. But if the tracks are particularly dirty, blocked, or icy, it’s best to call a professional for assistance. They’ll be able to clear the obstruction quickly and safely, so you can get back to using your garage door as normal.
Test Safety Features
Your garage uses a few important safety features to operate without any risk of injury or damage, such as photo eyes and safety sensors. It’s a good idea to test these features on a regular basis, as they can easily become blocked or covered up over time.
Testing is simple and only takes a few minutes — so there’s really no reason not to do it. And if you do find that one of the safety features is not working properly, be sure to contact a garage door repair professional as soon as possible.
Keep Moisture Out
Moisture is an enemy, not only of your garage door itself but also of your garage floor concrete and other belongings. To prevent moisture from entering your garage and causing long-term damage, be sure to keep the door tightly closed at all times when not in use.
In addition, you can install a weatherstripping seal around the bottom of the door to help keep moisture out. This is a simple and affordable fix that can make a big difference in the long run.
If you’re having problems keeping moisture out, or if you’re noticing water damage or other issues in your garage, contact our team for assistance. We’ll be happy to help you find a solution and get your garage back to normal.
For more on how to manage preventive maintenance for your garage door, or to learn about any of our garage door repair or installation services, speak to the pros at Price’s Guaranteed Doors today.