Upkeep on your garage door isn’t something that you typically think about.
Most people just push the button.
It isn’t until it doesn’t work that we try to fix it or get it replaced. So we wanted to give you some insights on what you can do to not only lengthen the durability of your garage door, but also make it work at its highest level as long as possible.
Lets Talk Maintenance
Regular garage door maintenance is essential to ensure smooth operation and to extend the life of your garage door. Here’s a list of maintenance tasks you can perform periodically:
1. Visual Inspection
- Check Cables: Look for wear and tear, fraying, or rust on the cables.
- Inspect Rollers: Ensure that rollers are not cracked, worn, or damaged.
- Inspect Springs: Look for any signs of rust, deformation, or damage on the springs.
- Check Hinges: Make sure hinges are tight and free of rust.
- Inspect Tracks: Look for debris, dents, or misalignment of the tracks.
After you have a look at these things if you see anything that is out of place you want to address it. This step is actually the most important in the whole process. Actually having a look at your garage door periodically is the number one way to make sure it works the way it should for a long time, and most people just don’t.
Cleaning, lubrication and replacing broken or worn out parts is easy and cheap. Replacing the whole thing is expensive.
2. Lubrication
- Lubricate Moving Parts: Apply a garage door lubricant to hinges, springs, rollers, and tracks to reduce friction and ensure smooth operation.
- Avoid Lubricating Plastic Parts: Some garage door components, like plastic rollers or nylon parts, should not be lubricated. Check your manual.
Ya so like I said above, lubricate the metal but not the plastic because the lubricant can sometimes eat the plastic. We recommend WD-40 or the 3 in 1 garage door lubricant. You can get both at Canadian Tire pretty cheap
3. Tighten Hardware
- Check Bolts and Screws: Ensure that all bolts and screws on hinges, brackets, and the track system are secure.
- Tighten Any Loose Parts: Vibrations can cause these parts to loosen over time.
I use a wrench or a screw driver for most of the bolts and screws. Just check em.
4. Balance the Door
- Test the Door Balance: Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway. If it stays in place, it’s balanced. If it falls or rises, the springs may need adjustment by a professional.
This is a little more involved and not only do you have to disconnect the opener but you have to reconnect it as well. Check out this video for easy instructions.
5. Test the Safety Features
- Auto-Reverse Feature: Place an object like a brick or block of wood under the door and try closing it. The door should reverse automatically upon contact.
- Photoelectric Sensors: Ensure that the sensors are aligned and working properly by blocking the beam with your hand to test if the door reverses.
The easiest way to do this is just to press the close button and waive your foot underneath the door…it should stop coming down and go back up.
6. Inspect the Weatherstripping
- Check Bottom Seal: Look for cracks, tears, or brittleness in the rubber seal at the bottom of the door.
- Replace if Necessary: If the weatherstripping is worn out, replace it to maintain proper insulation and prevent debris from entering.
Ok so in Canada you definitely want to check this every fall before winter sets in. Make sure you are getting a seal. A easy way to do this is go out at night, turn off the lights and see if any light comes into the garage from outside. Light = air. You want to try and fix that.
This is also important in the spring if your garage is downhill from your driveway like mine is. Sometimes excess water can come into the garage.
7. Test the Door Opener
- Check Opener Settings: Ensure that the opener is set to close and open fully.
- Replace Opener Batteries: Test the remote and wall unit, and replace the batteries if necessary.
8. Test the Door Operation
- Check for Noisy Operation: If the door is making grinding or squeaking sounds, it may indicate a need for lubrication or a part replacement.
- Smooth Opening and Closing: Watch the door as it opens and closes for any unusual jerks, hesitations, or uneven movements.
9. Clean the Garage Door
- Clean the Surface: Use a mild detergent to wash the garage door’s surface to prevent rust and keep it looking good.
- Inspect for Rust or Damage: While cleaning, check for rust or dents that could impact the door’s performance.
Performing these regular maintenance tasks will keep your garage door functioning smoothly and prevent potential breakdowns or costly repairs. For major repairs or spring adjustments, it’s best to call a professional.