(Newswire.net — March 29, 2019) — Your garage door is probably the heaviest and largest moving object on your property. To keep it running smoothly, you need to perform regular care and maintenance. Here are a few garage door tips to ensure your garage door services you well for decades to come.
Garage Door Tips
Look and Listen
Make it a habit to observe your garage door every time you use it. Watch out for scraping or grinding noises. Be sure to check that everything is moving smoothly and that there’s no jerking. You also want to check both sides of the system (pulleys, springs, and cables) to confirm that they’re symmetrical.
Tighten Up the Hardware
The average garage door will move up and down over a thousand times a year. With such a large amount of movement and vibration, chances are some hardware components will loosen up. Examine your garage door and tighten all bolt and brackets.
Test the Garage Door Balance
If your garage door isn’t properly balanced, the opener will strain to work harder, thereby shortening its lifespan. If you’re familiar with balancing the springs, you can go ahead but exercise caution. However, adjusting garage door springs is a task best left to professionals.
Replace the Weather-Stripping
Check whether the weather seal tip on the bottom of your garage door is cracked or brittle and replace it right away. Weather-stripping can be found easily at your local home improvement store or hardware. It’s usually sold by the foot so just cut it to the appropriate size and insert it into the grooves.
Check the Cables
Tinkering with the high-tension cables that lift your door is dangerous as they have enough force to injure and even kill. Nonetheless, check their conditions, so you know when to call a garage door expert. Check for damage near the bottom roller bracket and broken strands.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Greasing up your garage door will extend its expected useful life. It’s a simple task that will take you only about ten minutes. Use a spray lubricant to coat overhead springs and white lithium grease on the opener’s screw or chain.
Inspect and Replace the Rollers
Your rollers need to be inspected and replaced depending on usage. The general rule of thumb, however, is to have them inspected twice a year and replaced at least every seven years or so. Replace any cracked, worn or chipped rollers as soon as possible.
Clear the Tracks
Make sure the tracks on either side of the door are free from dirt and debris. Consider using a level to check the plumb and make sure any major adjustments to your tracks are made by a professional garage door expert.
Bottom Line
Always bear in mind that your garage door is part of the overall aesthetic of your home, so keep it fresh and clean and be sure to utilize the garage door tips above. If you’re pressed for time or find it difficult to carry out routine checkups, call a garage door specialist and schedule a tune-up service call. Garage doors are also a major cause of home injuries, so teach your kids to keep their hands of joints and exercise caution when using the door.