Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Chances are that you don’t think much about your garage doors until they start malfunctioning and causing you problems.

However, if you want your garage doors to work well for as long as possible, you need to invest some time and effort in keeping them in good condition.

Even if you are not particularly skilled at repairs and manual labor, you can still do a few things which will ensure the longevity of your door.

Garage door experts at Rockstar Garage Door Repair Services of San Diego share some tips which you can follow.

Check the Batteries in Your Garage Door Opener

The simplest thing you can do to keep your door functional is to periodically check the battery levels in your garage door opener.

If you notice that the door is opening at an inconsistent pace and that it moves in jerks and tugs, don’t immediately assume that there is something wrong with the door.

Check the battery first, and save yourself the time and effort of calling a garage door mechanic if there is no need. If the battery levels are good and the door is not working properly, then it might be time for an expert. But explore your options first.

Lubricate the Mechanism

Like most of our machinery, garage doors need to stay lubricated in order to reduce the friction of movement and ensure much smoother operation.

The type of grease you should use depends on the type of door you have and the manufacturer’s recommendation. If you’re unsure, contact a garage door mechanic to help you figure it out. More often than not, white lithium grease is the best option.

The chain is the most important part of the system which needs to be lubricated, but also the overhead springs.

Check the Door Rollers

Rollers are an integral part of your garage doors. Check them periodically to see if there is any kind of damage. Most experts suggest checking twice a year. Spring is a great time, especially if you live in an area which gets cold and snowy.

If you notice any kind of chipping or cracking on your rollers, you should act immediately and consult an expert. Otherwise, you risk exacerbating the damage and making it a lot more expensive to repair, not to mention that you may not be able to use the door until it is repaired.

If you haven’t changed the rollers on your garage doors in the past five years, you might want to consider that option as well, as it is their life expectancy.

Look into the Noise

If you are annoyed by the noise your garage door makes, or if you have noticed that there is an increase in the noise levels, chances are that there is something loose or damaged which needs to be addressed.

If that is the case, you should check any moveable parts to see if they are moving too much and too loosely. Tightening a few screws and bolts might be all it takes to reduce the noise significantly.

On the other hand, if your garage door has always been loud, but you are looking to change that, there is a solution for that as well. Using noise-dampening hinges made of nylon or similar materials can reduce the noise significantly. However, chances are that you will need help from experts to install them.

People who use their garage doors every day should be aware that the regular wear and tear can lead to damage and that inspecting the garage door occasionally can help offset the worst of it.