Garage doors are amazing pieces of machinery. We tend to take them for granted — until they break that is. And then all the conveniences of life come crashing to a halt. And while garage doors will eventually wear out and need to be replaced with a new one, how we take care of our doors ultimately determines how long a door will last. You get out of a garage door what you put in.
Most of it comes down to preventative maintenance. Here are 5 ways you can increase the life space of your garage door with proper care and repair.
Tighten Your Hardware
Your average door opens and closes 1,500 times a year. With all of that movement, things will start to loosen. This not only causes your door to become noisy but those excessive vibrations can also impact how well it functions. Essentially, the more rattle your door has, the faster it will break down. Every 6 months, take a wrench and tighten down any loose hardware, especially the hinges. It only takes a few minutes but can substantially lengthen the lifetime of your door.
Inspect the Rollers
The rollers on your garage door are the wheels that run the length of the track. Inspect from time and note any wear and tear, especially any rollers that are cracking or missing completely. Get these replaced. This will put less stress on your garage door so it lasts longer.
Oil Your Door
Oiling your garage door regularly will not only cut down on the noise and rattle of the door, it will also enable your door to open more smoothly. This can substantially lengthen how long the door will last.
Inspect Your Track
Make sure your garage door tracks are in a completely vertical position. Sometimes these tracks can come misaligned from the wall. This puts undue stress on your garage door and could cause your door to come off its tracks. You may damage the door or the tracks. To straighten, loosen the bolt holding the tracks to the wall and reposition the tracks into a straighter position. Then secure the track back onto the wall.
Inspect Your Garage Door Springs
We always tell our Rancho Cordova customers to never attempt to repair springs themselves. It’s a good idea however to inspect the springs for any signs of wear and tear. This way you can replace the spring before it becomes a hazard.