3 Maintenance Tips For Keeping Your Garage Door Running Smoothly
You probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about your garage door, even when it's actually going up or down to let you in or out of your home. Even homeowners who tend to be good about performing maintenance tasks around the house sometimes neglect the garage door, as it is mostly out of sight, out of mind for much of the day. That said, garage doors do develop wear and tear just like any other part of your house. Here are three easy-to-complete maintenance tasks that you should get into the habit of doing on a regular basis if you want to keep your garage in good condition.
Inspect the Rollers Twice a Year
The rollers are one of the most important parts of the garage door because if they go bad, the door isn't going to be moving anywhere when you push the button to open or close it. Rollers don't need to be checked every day or even every week, but you should periodically take a glance at them and give a full inspection at least twice a year. What are you looking for? Rollers wear out over time so look for areas that are chipped or starting to show a few cracks. If you notice an issue, contact a garage door repair specialist for a replacement roller.
Lubricate But Don't Overdo It
The garage door runs more smoothly when its moving parts are properly lubricated. Key areas to hit with the lubricant include the opening chain or screw and the overhead springs. Stick with a spray lubricant provided by your garage door specialist, ideally one that is lithium or silicone for best results. Don't go crazy though; you don't want to get lubricant on the garage door track or the chain rail. You don't want a lubricant attracting debris where you don't want it.
Clear the Track and Check the Strip
Speaking of debris, you should periodically clear the garage door track of any that you find. Typically, garage door tracks will pick up blades of grass or crush leaves over time. This can impede the rollers and other moving parts as the door moves through. Wiping the inside of the track with a wet cloth is usually good enough to get the job done. While you're at it, take a glance at your door's weatherstripping as well. A garage door with a faulty strip will still run properly, but you will be potentially letting moisture and air inside your garage. This can wreck havoc on your HVAC bills over time.
To keep your garage door running smoothly, inspect the rollers for signs of cracks at least twice a year. Lubricate key moving parts but avoid getting any in the garage door track. Keep the track free of debris so that the door can operate smoothly, and don't forget to periodically inspect the door's weather seal to keep outside air where it belongs.
For more tips or assistance with repair and maintenance, contact a professional garage door repair company, such as Able Door Company.
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