Despite using the garage almost daily, few people understand how best to handle this door. Unlike most other doors in the house, garage doors are a bit more complicated.
These doors need specialized hinges, motors, cables, tracks, rollers, brackets, and safety sensors, among other opening devices.
The only way your garage door will serve you for years is if you properly maintain these and more components. It starts by knowing the kind of garage door you have installed since garage doors are diverse. Keep reading to uncover practical tips to help prolong your garage door’s lifespan.
1. Understand Your Garage Door
Not all garage doors are created equal. Unfortunately, few people know how their garage doors are constructed or how they operate. Understanding the garage door’s opening mechanism is the first step to properly maintaining it.
First, appreciate that the garage door and the garage door opener are different. When you first get the garage door installed, make sure to go through the manual of both the door and door opener. This will help you familiarize yourself with the maintenance and care practices you need to know of.
Next, test the door and observe the opening mechanism. Note that there are different types of garage doors and opening mechanisms, but you need to focus on the one you have. Most residential garage doors open outwards.
However, many commercial buildings have roll-up garage doors, which may sometimes be installed in residential houses.
Each of these garage doors uses a different opening mechanism. They all have different hinges for opening the door. Besides that, understand the opening mechanism of your type of garage door. Usually, the opening mechanism for any garage door will have a few components. These include:
- A motor
- An electronic eye safety sensor
- A cable is located at the top and center of the door. This is attached to the emergency lever.
- Wall mounted openers
The significance of knowing the different components of the garage door is to help you understand when it works properly. You can easily monitor its working by observing and listening to the sounds coming from it.
As such, you can always tell when you are overusing or misusing the garage door. In the same way, it will be easy to identify faults in case of damage.
But can you overuse a garage door? Yes, you can. Proper maintenance is advisable if you want the garage door to serve you longer and better. Pay attention to the most important signs, which include:
- Changes in sounds coming from the garage. Note track sounds and also pay attention to scraping sounds, if any.
- Pay attention to the door’s moving speed. It has to be constant
- Consider how the door opens. It should be evenly, i.e., from side to side.
More importantly, immediately call a repair expert when your garage door misbehaves.
2. Clean the Door Regularly
Make sure to clean the garage door often. This will help prolong the door’s paint for years. It can also help dislodge any debris that could be problematic. You should do this routinely, especially when it snows. Clearing water and snow away from your garage door helps minimize corrosion.
3. Have Loose Hardware Fixed
Always check to ensure that all the hardware components of the garage door are properly tightened. Note that the screws of the garage door become loose with time. Regular checks ensure that no hinge or loose component comes apart.
The last thing you need is closing and opening misalignment. Loose bolts, screws, and nuts often trigger these. Occasionally check on these components as they tend to loosen over time.
Consider having a professional hardware inspection at least once a year. Hinges and fasteners on the door must be checked and tightened if loose.
4. Always Lubricate Moving Parts
All moving parts of your garage door should be properly lubricated. Doing so encourages smooth movement. Apply lubricants on such parts at least twice a year to minimize friction.
Use good quality spray lubricants to prevent the moving parts from sticking and squeaking. However, be cautious not to overuse the lubricant lest you cause more harm than good.
5. Check for Corrosion and Rust
Metallic garage doors are at risk of rust and corrosion. Unfortunately, these two issues weaken the structural integrity of the garage door. They also make the door look unsightly and can cause even more significant problems.
Avoid being caught unawares by using a rust-resistant protector on the garage door. Apply the substance at least two times a year. Focus more on areas that are prone to rusting and corrosion.
Before applying the protective coating, you may have to sand and prime these spots. Alternatively, you can paint over these areas, especially if the rust is stubborn. Removing the rust quickly as its progression happens rapidly may cost you the entire garage door if ignored.
6. Always Test the Safety Features
All garage doors have safety features, including photo eyes and force detection sensors. These help with detecting objects likely to block the doorway. It is, therefore, impossible to close on someone or something.
However, it can be dangerous if such features fail to work as expected. Make sure to verify that the sensors and other features work appropriately. Your family’s safety depends on it.
Final Thoughts
There are simple but practical ways to ensure your garage door works perfectly and serves you longer. Be sure to always pay attention to these simple tips if you want your garage door to serve you longer.
Author Bio: Kathleen D is a passionate writer & guest blogger. Writing helps her to improve her knowledge, skills & understanding about the specific industry. She loves writing & sharing her knowledge mostly in the health industry. She believes health is the real wealth & wants to spread her belief across the world. Apart from writing, she loves travelling & cooking. Currently she is working on Elite Garage Door.
