You may not give much thought to garage door maintenance. In fact, you may rarely think about your garage door as long as it’s opening and closing when you need it to. However, regular maintenance improves efficiency. An efficient garage door performs better and helps maintain indoor temperatures. A well-maintained garage door is also likely to last longer than one that’s neglected. You can follow the tips below to keep yours in its best condition.
Visual Inspection
Start by taking a look at your door’s exterior. Cracks, rust, dents and other damage are not just unsightly. They can affect both the door’s operation and its ability to keep the heat or cold out.
Inspect the hardware as well. This includes tracks, rollers, hinges and making sure that the weather stripping is in good shape. Look for fraying cables or broken springs.
Cleaning
The tracks and other parts that are dirty need cleaning. In addition, you must clean your garage door sensors so that they can operate properly. Finally, clean the panels of the door itself.
Lubrication
Several parts of your garage door can’t operate properly unless they are well lubricated. They include racks, hinges, springs and rollers. It’s important to use lubricant that’s specifically designed for garage doors.
Safety Checks
Most modern garage doors have a number of safety features, but it’s important to make sure that they’re still working the way they should. Check whether the sensors are responding correctly. You can place a chair or another object under the door to confirm that it reverses on contact with the object. In addition, ensure that the emergency release cord allows you to switch over to manual operation.
Professional Maintenance
As important as your own DIY checks are, you still need to schedule professional maintenance at least once a year. You may want to do it more frequently if your door gets heavy usage or you’ve having problems with it. Professional maintenance might be a condition of your warranty. Even if it isn’t, it’s good insurance against breakdowns or problems that may worsen over time if they go unnoticed.
Professionals can perform more dangerous tasks, such as making necessary adjustments to the cables and springs, and can offer recommendations. They also have the expertise to identify parts that are wearing out and need replacement.
It’s a good idea to do DIY maintenance twice a year. However, you may also want to check your door following a heavy storm or any other activity that might cause damage. In addition, you may want to check your sensors more regularly or go through the list above if you’re having issues with the door’s operation. With a combination of diligent home maintenance and regular professional maintenance, you can prevent emergencies, get optimal performance and extend your garage door’s lifespan. When you need garage door repair services in Atlanta, GA, contact Top Notch Garage Door.