Having a garage is an amenity that many people look for when buying a house. But while having a garage can add an extra sense of convenience and safety to your home, it also comes with some additional maintenance.
To make sure that your garage door functions properly for as long as possible, there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind. Read on as we share some helpful tips for garage door maintenance.
Avoid Overusing Your Garage Door
If you’re like lots of people, you probably use your garage door very often. In fact, you may even enter and exit your home primarily through the garage door. However, you might want to consider being more mindful about how often you’re opening and closing your garage door. Using it too frequently can result in unnecessary wear and tear and can ultimately shorten your garage door’s lifespan.
Instead, consider using your front door when you need to come or go but don’t need to use your vehicle.
Tidy up the Space Surrounding Your Door
Garages can be great for extra storage space, but that also means that they don’t always get cleaned up as often as they should. Allowing dirt and dust to build up in your garage can impact your door’s mechanisms. Take some time to sweep around the door and remove things like dust and cobwebs.
You should also be mindful of how you store items in your garage. Try to avoid stacking things near the door or leaning things against the door.
Check for Loose Nuts and/or Bolts
Garage doors get a lot of use, which can cause nuts and bolts to loosen over time. Take a thorough look at your garage door to determine whether there are any loose nuts/bolts. You will most likely be able to tighten them yourself with a screwdriver or a socket wrench.
Please note: always avoid tightening (or loosening) screws or bolts that are painted red or near the bottom of the roller fixture. Adjusting these items could put your safety at risk.
Inspect Your Door
You probably see your garage door every day, but when was the last time you really looked at it? Take some time to do a quick visual inspection of your garage door to ensure that there are no cracks and/or chips. You’ll always want to see how the garage door looks when it opens and closes to ensure it operates smoothly.
Keep in mind, however, that your inspection shouldn’t only be visual. You should also listen to ensure that your garage isn’t making any loud or unusual noises.
Even if you find that your garage door is functioning properly, you may want to consider washing it and adding a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
Replace Weatherstripping
Weather stripping is a great way to keep water from getting under your garage door. Unfortunately, however, weatherstripping doesn’t last forever. That being said, it’s important to take time to inspect the weather stripping at the bottom of your garage door.
If you notice that it is cracked or ripped, it’s time to replace it. You should be able to find weatherstripping at most hardware stores and it can be cut to fit the measurements of your garage door.
Hire a Professional
While it’s true there are a good number of garage door maintenance steps you can take on your own; a maintenance expert will be able to assess your garage door more thoroughly and let you know if any repairs are needed. Contacting a professional may seem costly, but the reality is that it can actually save you money in the long run by extending the life of your garage door.
Apply Lubricant to Keep Things Moving Smoothly
If you notice the moving parts on your garage door have started to make creaking noises, that could mean they need to be properly lubricated. Although this may seem like an intimidating task, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, the entire process can only take about 10 to 15 minutes. You can use a multi-purpose lubricant on your garage door’s hinges and rollers. Remember, though, you don’t need to lubricate the entire door.
Ensure Tracks Are Clean
Checking your garage door tracks probably isn’t something you do very often, but it’s something you might want to start adding to your regular to-do list. In order for your garage door to open and close smoothly, the tracks must be kept clean and free from any objects. Take a few minutes to look at the tracks to ensure that there is nothing in the way of allowing your garage door to open and close.
Test Your Garage Door’s Safety Features
Modern garage doors are equipped with a safety mechanism that causes the garage door to reverse while closing if something enters its path. This feature is especially useful for families with children and pets.
To ensure that your garage door is as safe as possible, Nonprofit Home Inspections recommends testing your garage door sensors at least once a month. You can conduct the test by closing the garage door and positioning something in front of the sensor as the door is on its way down. If your door is working properly, it should quickly reverse.
Get Garage Door Service in Leduc
Garage doors, like all other things, experience wear and tear over time. By taking the time to prioritize garage door maintenance, you can help ensure that your garage door functions properly for as long as possible.
As we mentioned, however, there are some issues that will require the help of a professional. If you’re looking for experts you can trust, our team here at Cometic is here to help. Request a quote today.