(Newswire.net — July 17, 2019) — Maintaining your garage door components to prevent rust and decay should be a part of every mandatory home maintenance plan. Not cleaning, maintaining, and protecting your garage door could lead to its core structural components rusting out far sooner than they otherwise would. This, in turn, could end up costing you thousands of dollars in unnecessary repair or rebuild charges. In the article below we’ll walk you through some of the best tips and tricks to preserve your garage for years or even decades to come. Your home is an investment, so be sure to treat it as such.
10 Rules to Maintain Garages to Prevent Rust
1. Buy Quality Garage Components – As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. If you buy cheap or subpar garage door parts and components then there is a far greater likelihood that they will rust out much more quickly. The best advice an expert garage door technician can give a homeowner is to invest in quality garage components. The difference could be huge. You might have to replace cheap components 3-5 fives in the same period that you would only need to replace quality components once. Steeline Garages in Bundaberg can help ensure that you use only the best and long-lasting garage components.
2. Choose The Correct Paint – You would be shocked at how often homeowners choose the wrong paint to use on their garage. There are many different types of paint, some are meant for wood applications, while others are meant to be placed on metal. The paint has different chemical compositions depending on what the intended surface material is. Always choose the appropriate variety when painting your garage. If you are painting over metal, then use metal paint. If you are painting over wood components, then choose paint intended for wood. Choosing the right paint will ensure your garage stays properly protected and remains rust free.
3. Repair High Friction Spots – If there are any spots on your garage that are suffering from high friction, then it is important to try to relieve some of the force behind the friction. High friction spots on your garage can wear out the metal, plastic, or wood components, thus leaving them subject to rot, rust, or decay. A certified professional garage technician or repairman can assess your garage to identify high friction spots. In many cases, these high friction spots can be quickly and cheaply fixed.
4. Regularly Clean Your Garage – Make sure that you regularly clean your garage components. Keeping your garage free from dirt, grease, grime, and other debris will ensure it stays preserved much longer. Dirt and grime on a garage can seal in moisture and other corrosive or rusting elements. When cleaning your garage always make sure that you do so appropriately. If you are cleaning metal components then always use a metal safe cleaner that will not cause your metal garage to rust out. If you are cleaning wood or plastic components, then only use a cleaning solution safe for wood or plastic.
5. Lubricate The Moving Mechanisms and Parts – Always be sure to grease or properly lubricate any moving or mechanical parts on your garage. This will help to reduce the friction that they incur and ultimately leave them far less susceptible to rust and other wear and tear. If you do not know the proper type of lubricant or grease to use or where to place it, then contact a certified professional garage door repairman for assistance. Garage door repair businesses can help you grease and lubricate your garage affordably and safely.
6. Wax Your Garage – Applying an appropriate brand of garage wax can be incredibly helpful in preventing rust damage. A waxed garage will repel moisture, dirt, and grime much more easily than it otherwise would. It is also incredibly easy to apply the wax coating, especially if it can be sprayed on. Many homeowners will not have the proper tools or equipment necessary to wax a garage. Contact your local garage specialist and they can come out and quickly wax your garage in order to keep it safe. One wax coating will often last for 6-12 months depending on the brand of wax and how thorough the application process is.
7. Limit Water Exposure – If your garage is being over-exposed to water or moisture then you should actively seek out ways to reduce this problem. Exposing a garage to excess water can cause it to rust out years earlier than it otherwise would. If your garage has any water leaks or is otherwise exposed to water from rooftop runoff then consider addressing these issues immediately. A new garage can begin to rust in as little as a year if it is being exposed to unusual amounts of moisture.
8. Spray on Rust Protector – There are special spray on rust protectors that you can buy from any hardware or home repair store. It is important to spray this rust protector on to metal parts of your garage that are often exposed to water, condensation, or other forms of moisture. Depending on the brand or type of spray on rust repellent that you use, you made need to carry out this type of maintenance activity 1-4 times per year to ensure the metal is properly protected.
9. Avoid Salting Your Driveway – One of the worst things you can expose your garage to is the combination of salt and moisture. If you live in an area that gets ice or snow during the winter, then you should think twice about salting your driveway anywhere near your metal garage. You will likely begin to see rust on your metal garage after just 2 seasons of salt and water exposure.
10. Limit Water Use in Your Garage – It is a bad idea to wash your car inside of your garage, or engage in other activities that leave spilled or standing water on your garage floor. While this water may evaporate during a hot summer day, it can still expose your garage to condensation and unnecessary moisture. A metal garage is 5 times more likely to prematurely rust if your garage floor regularly possesses standing water.