Everyday Tips for Garage Door Maintenance! – Palms Garage Doors
Having a garage door in tip-top performance is essential for your home, not only for convenience but for security as well. Homeowners typically only perform garage door maintenance before the winter months approach. However, it is a good practice to keep a closer eye on your garage door throughout the year.
The best preventive measure that you can do on a daily basis is to check your garage door for any unusual sights or sounds. In this blog post, we will be sharing our everyday tips for garage door maintenance.
Garage door’s balance
Check if your garage door is closing evenly on both sides. If it sags on one part, it usually means something is off with the spring balance. The springs balance the weight of the door so that it opens and closes smoothly. If the door is uneven, chances are the springs have loosened and need tightening. Adjusting garage door springs requires knowledge and tools, so do not attempt to do it on your own. Have a garage door spring technician check it and let them do the tightening for you.
Rollers
A garage door system has moving parts that require lubrication — and one of them is the rollers. Inadequate lubrication of rollers can lead to a number of potential problems, including shaky movement, squeaky noise, and roller bearing failure. Most garage door roller problems can be solved by silicone spray lubrication. Sometimes, replacing the garage door rollers is the only solution. Either way, performing preventive maintenance is extremely important to keep the rollers in top condition.
Cables
Your overhead garage door uses lift cable – a pliable cable made of several twisted strands of galvanized wire. Lift cables work with the counterbalance spring to balance your door. Depending on the type of counterbalance on your door, it may also have retaining cables that prevent the extension spring from falling or flying in the garage in case it breaks. Lift cables wind on a cable drum and, over time, will wear down with constant usage. Check your lift cables regularly for any signs of fraying, and replace them before they snap.
Tracks
Your garage door glides up and down on the two tracks that run from the floor to the ceiling and on every side of the doorway. Examine if there are any dents or damages and excessive dirt build-up on the tracks. Check them for any detached or misaligned brackets. The garage door opener will strain as it operates if the tracks are out of alignment or not well-anchored against the wall. Tighten the brackets to make sure that the tracks are in the correct alignment and anchored appropriately.
Weatherstripping
Your garage door’s weatherstripping keeps out moisture and dirt and prevents heat loss in cold months. Inspect the weatherstripping on the bottom of your garage door for cracks, tears, wavy strips, or any premature sign of wear. If you believe the weatherstripping has become brittle, replace it right away before it cracks or deteriorates.
Safety reversal system
Garage doors come with a safety feature that ensures the door will reverse automatically when it senses an obstruction or resistance in its path. Experts recommend testing your garage door reversing mechanism every month. To check if it is functioning correctly, place a 1-1/2″ block on the floor under the door and close the door. If the reversing mechanism fails, disengage the door opener until the safety reversal system is repaired.
Inspecting and maintaining your garage door regularly can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you are looking for a company to perform a regular inspection on your door, Palms Garage Doors serves the Greater Bay Area from San Francisco to San Jose and up to Oakland. Call us today for free estimates on our garage door repair services.
