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Your new garage door is one of the hardest-working components of your home. Whether you’re leaving for work, returning from grocery shopping, or storing your car during bad weather, your garage door goes up and down multiple times a day without much thought. But just like your car or HVAC system, garage door maintenance is crucial to keeping it running smoothly and preventing unexpected (and often expensive) repairs.
Regular garage door maintenance is essential for extending the life of your door, ensuring it operates safely, and avoiding costly breakdowns. Without proper upkeep, your garage door can malfunction, leading to issues that range from loud, annoying noises to complete mechanical failure. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key steps of garage door maintenance and share some helpful tips to keep your door in top condition year-round.
Why Garage Door Maintenance is Important
It’s easy to overlook the garage door in your routine home maintenance, but that can be a costly mistake. Here’s why maintaining your garage door is so important:
- Safety: A malfunctioning garage door can be a safety hazard. It could get stuck halfway, come down too quickly, or fail to reverse when something is in its path. Regular maintenance ensures the safety mechanisms are working properly, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Cost Savings: Routine maintenance can catch minor issues before they turn into major (and expensive) repairs. Small adjustments and lubrication can prevent wear and tear that would otherwise lead to component failure.
- Efficiency: A well-maintained garage door operates more smoothly and quietly. You won’t have to deal with the grinding and screeching sounds that come with rusty parts or misaligned tracks.
- Curb Appeal: A garage door in good working condition enhances your home’s appearance and increases its overall value. Regular cleaning and touch-ups can also prevent rust and cosmetic damage.
Now that you know why it’s important, let’s discuss how to maintain your garage door.
Key Areas to Focus on for Garage Door Maintenance
Proper garage door maintenance requires attention to several key components. These include the hardware, springs, cables, rollers, and the opener system. Here’s a breakdown of each part and how to keep it functioning optimally.
1. Inspect the Door’s Hardware
Your garage door moves up and down multiple times daily, which can loosen the hardware over time. Start by checking the brackets, bolts, and screws that secure the door to the tracks and wall. Tighten any loose hardware using a wrench or socket set to prevent the door from vibrating and making unnecessary noise.
Additionally, inspect the door’s hinges and roller brackets. Any worn-out or rusty components may need to be replaced to keep the door moving smoothly.
2. Lubricate Moving Parts
One of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain your garage door is lubricating the moving parts. Proper lubrication reduces friction and wear, extending the life of your garage door.
- Springs: Spray the torsion or extension springs with a silicone-based lubricant. This reduces the tension on the springs, allowing them to last longer.
- Rollers: Apply lubricant to the rollers, especially if they are metal. Avoid lubricating nylon rollers, as the lubricant can cause them to deteriorate.
- Hinges: A light spray of lubricant on the hinges helps them move freely and reduces noise.
- Tracks: While you don’t want to lubricate the tracks directly, it’s a good idea to clean them to ensure smooth roller movement. Use a clean cloth to wipe away dirt and debris, and apply a small amount of lubricant to the bearings if necessary.
Be careful not to over-lubricate—too much grease can attract dirt, leading to clogged rollers and tracks.
3. Check and Adjust the Balance
A properly balanced garage door is crucial for smooth operation. If the door is unbalanced, it can put excessive strain on the opener, leading to early failure. Here’s how you can check the balance of your new garage door:
- Disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle (usually a red cord).
- Manually lift the garage door about halfway up and release it. If the door stays in place, it’s appropriately balanced. If it falls or rises, it’s out of balance and may require adjustment.
An unbalanced garage door is typically a sign that the springs need adjustment, a task best left to professionals, as it involves handling high-tension components.
4. Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature
Most modern garage doors have an auto-reverse safety feature, which prevents the door from closing if it detects an obstruction. This feature is vital for preventing accidents and injuries. You can test it by placing an object under the door, like a brick or wood. When the door touches the object, it should reverse direction. If it doesn’t, the auto-reverse feature may need adjustment or repair.
Additionally, check the photoelectric sensors on either side of the door. These sensors detect movement or objects in the door’s path and should be aligned properly. Clean the lenses with a soft cloth and ensure the sensors are about 6 inches above the ground. If they’re misaligned, the door may refuse to close, thinking there’s an obstruction.
5. Examine the Cables and Springs
Garage door cables and springs play a critical role in lifting and lowering the door. Over time, they can fray, stretch, or snap. Inspect the cables for signs of wear, but don’t try to adjust or replace them yourself—cables are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if mishandled. Call a professional to repair or replace the cables if you notice any damage.
Similarly, torsion springs (mounted above the door) and extension springs (located on the sides of the door) should be inspected regularly. Look for rust, cracks, or stretching. If the springs appear damaged, don’t attempt to repair them yourself—spring replacement is a job for the pros.
6. Inspect the Garage Door Panels and Weatherstripping
While focusing on the mechanical parts is important, don’t forget the door panels and weatherstripping. The panels should be free of cracks, warping, or other visible damage. Damaged panels look unsightly and can affect the door’s operation. If you find any damage, you may need to replace individual panels rather than the entire door.
Check the weatherstripping at the bottom of the door for cracks or signs of wear. The weatherstripping helps seal out drafts, moisture, and pests. Replacing worn weatherstripping is a simple and inexpensive way to improve your garage’s insulation and keep your door functioning efficiently.
Seasonal Garage Door Maintenance Tips
Different seasons present different challenges for your garage door. Here’s how to keep your garage door running smoothly year-round.
Winter Maintenance
Cold weather can be harsh on garage doors, leading to frozen parts and stiff components. In winter, pay extra attention to:
- Lubrication: Cold temperatures can cause lubricants to thicken, so apply a winter-grade lubricant designed to work in freezing conditions.
- Weatherstripping: Ensure the weatherstripping is intact to prevent cold air and moisture from seeping into the garage.
- Inspect for Ice Build-Up: Ice can accumulate around the base of the door, causing it to stick or freeze shut. Keep the area clear of snow and ice; if your door does freeze, don’t force it open—use a hairdryer or heat gun to melt the ice.
Spring Maintenance
Spring is the perfect time for a thorough inspection after winter’s wear and tear:
- Check for Rust: Look for signs of rust on the springs, cables, and tracks. Rust can weaken the door’s components and lead to failure.
- Clean the Tracks: Sweep out any dirt, leaves, or debris that may have built up in the tracks over the winter months.
Summer Maintenance
Hot, dry weather can also affect your garage door’s performance:
- Inspect the Paint or Finish: Intense heat can cause the paint or finish on your garage door to fade or peel. Touch up any needed spots to protect the door from the elements.
- Lubricate Moving Parts: Heat can cause metal parts to expand, leading to increased friction. Make sure all moving parts are properly lubricated to prevent wear.
Fall Maintenance
As the weather begins to cool down, take the following steps to prepare your garage door for the colder months ahead:
- Inspect Weatherstripping: Fall is the time to replace worn-out weatherstripping before winter sets in.
- Check the Balance and Springs: Before winter, ensure your garage door is balanced and the springs are in good condition, as cold weather can exacerbate existing issues.
When to Call a Professional
While homeowners can perform most garage door maintenance tasks, some repairs and adjustments require professional expertise. Here are a few scenarios where you should call a professional:
- Broken Springs: Garage door springs are under high tension and can be dangerous to replace without the proper tools and knowledge.
- Damaged Cables: Replacing frayed or broken cables is a job for trained professionals to ensure your safety.
- Electrical Issues: If your opener isn’t functioning correctly or the auto-reverse mechanism fails, it’s best to leave the repair to an expert.
Additionally, if you don’t have the time or inclination to perform routine maintenance yourself, many garage door companies offer annual maintenance packages. These packages typically include a thorough inspection, lubrication, and adjustments to keep your door in peak condition.
FAQs on Garage Door Maintenance
How often should a garage door be lubricated?
Garage door parts should be lubricated every six months to ensure smooth operation and prevent wear and tear. Use a silicone-based or lithium grease lubricant, applying it to the rollers, hinges, and springs. Avoid over-lubricating, as this can attract dirt and debris.
What is preventive maintenance on a garage door?
Preventive maintenance involves regularly inspecting, cleaning, and lubricating your garage door’s parts. This includes checking for any signs of wear on the springs, cables, rollers, and hinges and ensuring the tracks are debris-free. These actions help catch minor issues before they lead to major problems.
Is WD-40 good for garage doors?
No, WD-40 is not ideal for garage doors because it’s a solvent rather than a proper lubricant. While it can clean parts and remove rust, it doesn’t provide long-term lubrication. Instead, use a silicone-based or lithium grease lubricant to keep moving parts functioning smoothly.
How do I keep my garage door running smoothly?
To keep your garage door running smoothly, lubricate the moving parts regularly, tighten the hardware, and keep the tracks free of debris. Address any unusual noises or jerky movements immediately to prevent wear on the springs and opener. Also, the balance and safety features should be regularly tested.
Is it better to keep garage door open or closed?
It’s better to keep your garage door closed when not in use. Leaving it open exposes your garage to potential theft, weather damage, and pests. Additionally, keeping it closed helps maintain temperature control if your garage is insulated, which can reduce energy costs.
Conclusion
Your garage door is more than just a convenience—it’s crucial to your home’s safety and curb appeal. Regular garage door maintenance ensures that your door operates smoothly, safely, and quietly for years. By staying on top of basic upkeep tasks like lubricating moving parts, inspecting cables and springs, and testing the door’s balance, you can avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your garage door.
Taking the time to maintain your garage door will save you money in the long run and keep your family and home secure. Don’t hesitate to call a professional if you ever feel unsure about performing certain tasks. With the right maintenance routine, your garage door will be ready to serve you season after season.
End Note
At Doorways, Inc., we’re here to help you keep your garage door—and every other door—running smoothly. Whether you need our Residential Garage Door Collection, a repair service, or accessories for your opener, our team provides reliable and expert care for all your residential needs. Dive into our full range of residential services at msdoorways.com/residential.
Our expertise doesn’t stop at home. For businesses, we offer a vast selection of commercial door solutions, including Overhead Doors, Fire Doors, and Glass Doors. We’re also equipped to handle specialty items like Commercial Door Operators, Traffic/Impact Doors, and Loading Dock Equipment. Our commercial offerings are built to endure the toughest conditions, ensuring your business runs without a hitch. Discover more about our commercial services at msdoorways.com/commercial.
Curious about joining our team? Visit our Careers page. For questions or to learn more about us, check out our Contact Us, About Us, and Blog pages. At Doorways, Inc., we’re more than just doors—we’re opening pathways to quality and innovation!
