Your garage door is an important part of your home's security and is among the largest moving components of the home. Therefore, it needs to be maintained so that it can work properly. This can be done with basic routine maintenance. According to the International Door Association (IDA), the three monthly things that you should check or do in terms of garage maintenance are visual inspection, lubrication and balance. Read on to learn more about performing each of these maintenance tasks yourself.
1. Garage Door Visual Inspection
When it comes to the visual inspection of your garage door, it includes all of the door's working parts – not just the door itself. You need to inspect the springs, tracks and all other hardware to ensure that they are all still in good shape and functioning properly. For the tracks, they should be wiped out or vacuumed on a monthly basis to ensure there is no unnecessary build-up of debris that could cause your garage door to not operate appropriately. Keep an eye out for tracks that are out of alignment. For the cables, look for any frayed wires or rust. For the rollers, inspect for signs of wear, such as rust and "play" in the wheel.
If any of the garage door hardware looks like it has been damaged or may not be working as it should, consult with a professional repair expert. It can be dangerous to try to mess with these types of repairs on your own. This is especially true with the torsion and extension springs that have a high amount of tension on them.
2. Garage Door Lubrication
All moving parts of your garage door should be well lubricated during your garage door monthly maintenance routine. This includes anything from springs and chains to rollers and bearings. According to The Washington Post, you should use a light oil or a silicone lubricant on hinges, bearings and rollers. However, it should never be applied to any plastic parts or pieces of the garage door. Bob Vila says standard engine oil works, but grease should never be used since it could cause premature wear and the halt of a working garage door.
3. Garage Door Balance
To check that your garage door is properly balanced, you need to first close the door completely. You should then use the door release handle so that you can manually operate your garage door. Now, manually lift your garage door several feet off the ground. This should be easy to do and should not require struggle on your part. If it can stay open on its own, then it is considered well balanced. If it cannot, you may want to contact a professional technician for adjustment.
If you feel like your garage door is old and worn, it may be time for a new one. Alternatively, if you are updating the exterior of your home, a new garage door may be in the cards. Whatever the case may be, consult with a garage door installation expert to find the perfect door and obtain a quote for installation. Contact a company like Garage Door Systems Inc to get started.
Share22 June 2015
I thought the most difficult part of teaching my son how to drive would be out on the roads, but I didn't think about what he could do to my garage door before he even left the driveway. It took one small tap with the car to damage the garage door. Even though the garage door itself looked to be fine, the impact had caused some damage to the mechanical components, and we couldn't use the garage for a while. My blog explains what we had to do to make the repairs and will give you some tips for avoiding this type of accident around your home.
