TIPS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR GARAGE DOOR

As a property owner, there is a long list of items that you have to stay on top of. You have to keep up with your landscaping - to keep your property beautiful and keep the curb appeal of your property high. You make sure there are no electrical issues. You have to make sure your roof does not need repairs - to avoid leaking issues. Another item to add to that list is the proper maintenance of your garage door. A working garage door brings a lot of convenience to your daily life. A garage door can go years before exhibiting any issues. To make sure that your door continues to work correctly, and to avoid costly issues for as long as possible - it is best to employ as many preventative maintenance methods as possible to extend the life of your garage door. So, what can you do to extend the life of your garage door? There are many strategies you can employ. If you are not “handy”, don’t worry. These tips are not too difficult, and I will explain what steps you should take. Another option if you are really uncomfortable is to have a garage door service company perform the yearly maintenance. Please read on for some valuable tips that can extend the life of your garage door.

Tip 1: Be aware of any out of the ordinary sounds

Easy right? This first tip is not very difficult at all. You use your garage door every day, so you know the way it usually sounds when you operate it. For this reason, any new sounds will stick out like a sore thumb for you. Take note of these new sounds - they could point to potential issues with your garage door. Pay attention to new sounds with your garage door just as you would with your vehicle. If your vehicle suddenly starts making a screeching noise as you drive, or whenever you brake - you will be put on high alert, even if you are not “mechanical”. The same would apply to your household appliances. If your refrigerator starts making grinding noises when it never has before, you will automatically know that there is an issue of some sort. Treat your garage door system the same way. If after 2 years of working quietly, your garage door system starts making a new noise, please pay attention. Oftentimes, these noises point to a larger issue. One issue that is sometimes preceded by loud noises is a garage door spring issue. This can be very serious as your springs bear the load for your entire garage door, and a technician should check it out right away. If your garage door is making a grinding noise, this can point to potential issues with your motor, or an obstruction on the track. It is best to get these issues fixed before they grow into a costly repair issue.

Tip 2: Take a look around, and visually inspect your garage door system

This is another easy tip. Give your garage door a visual inspection from time to time (perhaps once or twice per year). When doing your visual inspection, follow these steps. Go into your garage and close the door. Look around the seams of the door - are there gaps that are allowing outside light in? If so, this may indicate the door is not properly aligned. Next, take a look at some of your garage door components. For example the springs - are they tight, or loose and hanging? Perhaps the springs are rusty or you notice one that is snapped? Take a look at the wheels - are they rusty or worn out looking? These are signs of aging, and if left unchecked they can lead to bigger issues. Lastly, while in the garage open and close the door - and listen! If you hear something abnormal (rubbing, creaking, scraping), try to pinpoint where the sound originates and take a look. You may be able to see something that needs to be addressed. If you do find an issue, your next step is to call a technician to provide you expert advice.

Tip 3: Take care of your garage door track, rollers and hinges

The tracks, rollers and hinges of your garage door are key components that help with the proper performance of your door. One way to extend the life of your garage door is to perform seasonal maintenance on these components. It is common for garage door tracks to become filled with debris like leaves, dust and cobwebs. This type of debris should be removed. When cleaning your tracks, you do not need to use any water or commercial cleaners. In fact, use of these products can lead to build up and may lead to other issues. The simple way is the best when it comes to cleaning your garage door track, just use a broom to brush out any debris that has built up.

The garage door tracks, hinges and rollers may require lubrication from time to time. You can purchase a spray silicon lubricant for this. Check your garage door manufacturer’s recommendations for the best type of lubricant for your door.

Tip 4: Check the balance of your garage door

This tip is probably the most difficult on the list, but a novice can still follow these easy steps to get the job done. Even if there are no issues with your door, it is still a good idea to check the balance from time to time. How would you go about this? If you have an automatic door opener the first step is to disconnect it. The door should be closed before you do this. Next, go to your door and try to open it manually. Even while disconnected, the heavy door should lift easily with little to no resistance. Once open, the door should not slide down on its own - it should remain in a fixed and open position. Now, close the door. It should close smoothly and not slam down, and you should be able to get it started closing with just a bit of pressure. These tips are a quick way to test the balance of your door.