As with any other aspect of your home, a well-maintained garage door will last much longer than one that’s been left to fall apart as a result of wear and tear. Remember, good maintenance is essential for all garage doors as these are used more frequently than any other part of the house.
That constant use, along with the continuous stress your door endures during its lifetime, means that the components will wear out over time. As long as you keep a close eye on your opening and closing mechanisms, though, you should be able to identify any issues – and sort them out – before you experience any hazardous issues.
Before we move ahead, though, keep in mind: garage door repairs are very dangerous to do. While there are simple tasks, like tightening a couple of screws or cleaning out debris, that you can take care of yourself, anything that requires removing any broken components (such as with damaged springs) should be left to a certified professional. Nobody wants a garage door to collapse due to stress or mishandling, so proceed with caution.
If in doubt, always talk to a technician – they’ll be able to point you in the right direction if you need a bit of guidance with the upkeep of your garage door.
In the meantime, here are some things you can do, as offered by the team at McDalton Garage Door, to get a head start on your garage door maintenance.
Simple tips to get you started
Observation goes a long way
The best way to know your garage door needs special attention is to look and listen. As you open and close your door you should be able to identify strange or unnecessary noises, as well as noticing any changes in how easily the door moves from each position. In short, be wary of scraping sounds, tilting and delays in movement.
Inspecting the door when it’s not being used is important too. While you’re inside your garage, search for any signs of damage, wear and tear in all components nearby: including springs, cables, rollers, hinges, and hardware.
Your door needs a bit of grooming too
Chipped paint, water damage, rust spots that need priming. These are just some of the signs of a garage door that needs better care. Simple DIY fixes in these scenarios go beyond aesthetics: they actually elongate the lifespan of your door.
One the principal ways to ensure durability is to keep the door’s hinges, rollers, and tracks properly lubricated. Garage door specialists will sell you the right oils to use. All you need is spray lubricant for your door, white lithium grease for chains and screws, and 10 minutes of your time. While you’re at it, make sure to tighten any loose screws you encounter.
Remember: dirt and grime can cause interference
Sometimes, a photo eye malfunction is merely the result of debris blocking the sensors. You’ll find the photo eye sensors on each side of the door – cleaning these only takes a soft cloth, a streak-free cleaner and some warm water. Remember to be gentle and take care not to scratch the glass while you clean these small, but crucial, components.
Essential maintenance checks
If any issues arise, the next checks will help you identify the source of your woes. For full peace of mind, we recommend you do these inspections on a monthly basis:
- Checking the door alignment
First, close the garage door and disconnect your automatic opener. Now, try and lift the door about halfway up. Is it difficult to open or simply not staying in place? That means your door is out of balance.
Out of track doors can be quite tricky, and should be handled with caution. Sometimes, realigning is as simple as hammering the door back in place. Most often, though, out of balance doors are a sign of broken springs or faulty components. For your safety, we would recommend you leave this matter to the professionals.
- Inspecting your door’s reversing mechanisms
If your garage door was manufactured and installed anytime from 1993 onwards, it will comprise two essential reverse mechanisms: a photocell and mechanical system. If your door lacks the former, you should get in touch with a garage door professional to remedy this. We can’t stress this enough: both of these mechanisms are crucial for your garage door safety.
To test your mechanical reversing system, open the door and place a piece of wood or a brick on your door’s path before your close it. If everything is working correctly, the door will reverse upon contact with the object. As for the photocell, all you need to do is wave your leg in its direction – the door should detect something in its way and reverse automatically. If neither of these mechanisms are triggered by these tests, a garage door technician will need to look into the issue.
- Taking a look at your rollers and cables
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: don’t try to fix cables yourself. You can visually inspect these, though, to identify whether they need to be repaired and replaced by a technician. Focus your attention to the bottom of the roller brackets, checking for broken strands, damage, chips or cracks. Damaged rollers need to be replaced as soon as possible.
In need of a technician? If you live in Buckhead, GA, McDalton Garage Door is able to help you out. Our professional team is available 24/7 for emergency repairs, and we never charge for consultations or price quotes. Make an appointment to discuss your issues, or even for an inspection, and our locally-based professionals will guide you all the way. We are fully certified and field-tested, so you know you will be getting professional and safe repairs from us.
Those of you who live elsewhere, don’t fret: ask around for business referrals, and get a couple of local business names to check out. Good reputation carries through from word of mouth, so try and gather as much information about your chosen company’s track record as well as their certifications – check if any complaints have been officially laid against them, read up on online reviews, and call them and ask if they have any client references in the area. Don’t settle for a business until you are confident about their abilities, and never pay full price upfront (if a technician asks for this, there are not to be trusted). On the day of the repairs, try and be present too – just in case anything goes amiss.
Article source here: McDalton Garage Door: Garage Door Maintenance Tips
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