To make your garage door last up to thirty years, you’ll have to keep it in pristine condition. Without proper maintenance, your overhead door could become a money pit which frequently has to be repairs. To get the most out of your door, you’ll have to give it some extra thought.
Most homeowners don’t care for their overhead door until it stops working and they’re left with a big problem which is extremely costly. It’s entirely possible that repairs could turn moot, making garage door replacement more cost effective.
To avoid lengthy bills and time wasted, it’s key that you remain proactive and spend time with your overhead garage door on a regular basis. This will not only extend the life of your door, but it will also save you money in the long run. The best part is that these DIY maintenance tips are simple, meaning anyone can do them with minimal efforts.
Visually Inspect Your Door Once Every 4 Months
Once every quarter, or when the seasons change, take some time out of your busy schedule and visually inspect your overhead door. Methodically look over all your garage door parts and check for signs of wear and tear, dents, or rust. If you see rust, call a garage door repair company to replace the part. A rusty part is bad news, as it could eventually break down, causing you to dive in on expensive repairs. Be smart and have it replaced as soon as possible. The same goes for other damaged garage door parts. If your tracks have bent or have become misaligned, they’ll need to fixed, otherwise you’ll have a door off track.
Regularly Lubricate Your Door
This is a simple tip that could end up paying dividends. Many homeowners forget about the power that lubrication brings. This will help to reduce friction and make the door easier to open and close. The door will smoothly glide across the tracks, while will preserve the tracks and rollers, as well. Don’t lubricate the tracks. Doing so will prematurely rust them and force a replacement. Use a lubricant or oil made for garage door parts. WD-40 and other “all-purpose” brands will just rust up your parts. You should lubricate your door every few months, ideally when you inspect your door for issues.
Wipe & Clean Your Door
You’d be surprised by how many homeowners ignore their garage door’s hygiene. Yes, even overhead doors need to be cleaned every once in a while. If you have a steel, aluminum, or glass overhead garage door, you can use soap and water to clean the door. Doing this once or twice a year will keep your door visually appealing and prevent dirt, debris, grime, and pests from building up. The last thing you want is rusted panels.
Check The Door’s Balance & Replace Your Batteries
Here’s an extremely simple tip: check to see if your door is balanced. Your door can slow go out of balance and sag, and you likely won’t notice it until it’s too late. Before you back out, see if your door is balanced well. You’ll know something is wrong when the overhead door has difficulty opening. A garage door repair company can have this done quickly.
If you’re panicking about your door opener not working, take a breath and remember that your garage door opener probably uses batteries. They’re just dead. Be sure to replace your garage door opener batteries on a regular basis and have some spare batteries at home so you don’t have to rush to the store or wait for Amazon to deliver your packages.
Garage Door Repair Can Be Easy
If you follow all these tips, you’ll squeeze out some extra life out of your overhead garage door. Of course, things can always go wrong no matter how prepared you are. Before your door needs repair, find a garage door service in your area that boasts great reviews. When the time comes, call them, and they’ll have your door fixed in a few short hours. You don’t want to mess with your garage door if you don’t have the proper experience, so don’t hesitate to call and book an appointment.