Taking care of your garage door isn’t just about ensuring safety or maintaining curb appeal—it’s an essential aspect of responsible homeownership. Like any other part of your home, the garage door system requires regular attention to continue functioning optimally for years to come. Today, Steel City Garage Doors is here to bring you the ultimate garage door maintenance checklist and give you some helpful advice on how to take care of your door.
Examine Weather Stripping and Seals
An often-overlooked yet vital component of garage door maintenance is inspecting the weather stripping and seals. These elements play a crucial role in keeping your garage dry and insulated. Start by examining the weather stripping along the sides and bottom of your garage door.
Look for any cracks, gaps, or areas that have become brittle or are starting to crumble. These signs of wear can compromise the door’s seal, leading to energy loss and moisture entry. Additionally, check the seal around the entire door frame and the bottom seal (or “sweep”). If you find any part of the stripping or seals has damage or is missing, you need to replace them.
Lubricate Moving Parts
One of the simplest yet most crucial steps in garage door maintenance is lubricating its moving parts. This routine task can significantly reduce wear and tear, prolonging the life of your garage door. Start by applying a high-quality silicone or lithium-based spray lubricant to the rollers, hinges, tracks, and springs. It’s important to avoid using heavy oils or grease, as they can attract dust and debris, leading to further complications.
When lubricating the rollers, ensure you cover both the bearings and the stems, but avoid getting lubricant on the nylon wheels, if applicable. For hinges, focus on the pivot points, and for springs, a light coating along the entire length can prevent rust and reduce the noise during operation. Applying a small amount of lubricant to the track can enhance the smoothness of the door’s movement. But be sure to wipe away any excess to prevent drips or buildup. We recommend lubricating these parts at least once a year.
Balance the Garage Door
To check the balance of your garage door, start by disconnecting the opener (if you have an automatic garage door) to enable manual operation. Then, lift the door about halfway and carefully release it. A well-balanced door should remain in place, only moving slightly, if at all. If it falls or shoots upward, it’s unbalanced and requires adjustment.
Balancing a garage door typically involves adjusting its springs, which is a task that can be hazardous due to the high tension these parts are under. For this reason, unless you have specific experience and the right tools, you should hire a professional for this task. A skilled technician can safely adjust the tension in the springs to ensure your door operates smoothly and remains in the correct position when opened manually.
Test the Auto-Reverse Feature
The auto-reverse feature on your garage door is a critical safety mechanism designed to prevent injury or damage if an object or person obstructs the door’s path while it’s closing. You want to perform regular tests to ensure this feature is working correctly.
The easiest way to test this is to find an inconsequential object like a brick or piece of wood to place in front of the sensor. Activate the door to close. When it makes contact with the object, it should automatically reverse direction and return to the open position. If your door fails to reverse upon making contact, that’s an indication that the auto-reverse feature is malfunctioning and requires immediate attention.
If you can’t resolve the problem through cleaning or realignment, seek the assistance of a professional garage door technician to ensure the safety mechanisms are fully operational. Regular testing of these features should be an integral part of your garage door maintenance routine.
Regular Cleaning and Rust Removal
Maintaining your garage door’s aesthetic and functional integrity also involves regular cleaning and proactive rust removal. Start by gently washing the door with a mixture of mild soap and water. You should use a soft cloth or sponge to remove dirt, grease, and other contaminants. This will keep the door looking its best and prevent substance buildups that can corrode paint and materials over time. For metal doors, you should look for signs of rust, which can compromise their structure and operation if left untreated.
You should approach rust removal with care and use a mild abrasive and a rust inhibitor to treat affected areas. After removing rust, applying a primer and paint that matches your door’s color can help protect exposed areas from future corrosion. It’s also a good idea to wash and treat the surrounding frame and hardware, as these areas can accumulate dirt and moisture that contribute to rust and degradation.
Maintaining the Garage Door Opener
Ensuring your garage door opener functions correctly is equally vital for your garage door system’s overall health. A well-maintained opener ensures that the door opens and closes smoothly, providing both convenience and safety. Begin by regularly checking the opener’s batteries. Replace them as needed to avoid any unexpected malfunctions. It’s also important to inspect the opener’s mounting brackets and hardware, tightening any loose components to ensure stable operation.
Listening to your garage door opener can also offer cues about its condition. If you notice unusual noises or the operation seems labored, that could indicate an issue with the motor or the drive mechanism. For chain-driven openers, check the chain’s tension and lubricate it based on the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent wear and ensure smooth movement.
We here at Steel City Garage Doors hope our ultimate garage door maintenance checklist has been helpful and informative for your garage door needs. If you’re looking for reliable garage door installation in Pittsburgh or looking to ensure their current system continues to operate at peak performance, don’t wait for issues to arise. Contact Steel City Garage Doors today. Our expert team provides top-notch service, whether for a fresh installation or maintaining and repairing your existing garage door. Trust us to keep your garage door functioning safely and efficiently. Reach out now and experience the difference professional care makes.
