Your garage door is a crucial component of your home, yet it's one that is often overlooked until something goes wrong. If not maintained properly, your garage door can break down over time, presenting safety and security problems and leading to potentially costly repairs or premature garage door replacement. Luckily, preventative maintenance for your garage door is pretty straightforward. Here are four tips for maintaining your garage door:
Call a Repair Company When Needed
By paying attention to how your garage door acts, sounds, and looks, you can stay on top of things and know when to call a garage door repair company. Having problems repaired right away will help keep them from becoming more serious. Potential problems that are worth having a repair company perform an inspection include:
- Jerky, uneven movement up and down
- Loud scraping or grinding noises
- An asymmetrical appearance with one side a bit longer than the other
Tighten Brackets and Bolts on a Regular Basis
Due to the frequent movement and vibration of the average garage door, it's normal for brackets and bolts to sometimes come loose, which can lead to your garage door not moving as smoothly or quietly as it should. Get in the habit of periodically inspecting your garage door's various brackets and bolts, and tighten any that look loose with a wrench or screwdriver.
Check the Weatherstripping
The rubber weatherstripping along the bottom of your garage door helps keep the weather and pests out of your garage, while also protecting your garage door from hitting the ground. If the weatherstripping is cracked, missing in places, or hanging off the garage door, it's time to replace it. Luckily, you can purchase weatherstripping affordably at most home improvement or hardware stores. Remember to measure your garage door first and then simply cut the weatherstripping to measure and adhere to the grooves at the bottom of your garage door.
Lubricate Moving Parts
The many metal moving parts, including rollers, springs, and pulleys, of your garage door need to be lubricated in order to work properly and prevent damaging friction. First, clean the moving parts with a soft cloth and a gentle all-purpose cleaner or simple soap and water. Then, after drying, simply spray the metal moving parts with a spray lubricant such as WD-40.
By following these simple maintenance tips, you will help keep your garage door functioning properly for as long as possible.
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