Like everything else in your homes, your residential garage door requires regular maintenance and care to remain in good working order. If you do not maintain your garage door properly, you risk developing issues like rusty tracks and damaged springs. Follow these tips to keep your overhead garage door in good working order and avoid costly repairs.
Ways to Make Your Residential Garage Door Last Longer
Lubricate the moving parts of your door
Your garage door has moving parts, such as the rollers and hinges. These components require lubrication to help it to run smoothly and prevent parts from wearing down. Mechanical wear and tear from opening and closing the door and other repetitive motions will happen on these moving parts. Therefore, experts recommend lubricating moving parts like rollers and hinges at least twice a year. It is to reduce stress on the garage door opener and help it last longer.
You can also lubricate the opener’s chain or screw and the hinges that connect the door panels. You may use a spray lubricant like white lithium grease. However, check the manufacturer’s instructions for any specific lubricant or garage door parts that do not require lubrication.
Tighten any loose parts and hardware
Various screws, pulleys, cables, springs, nuts, and bolts hold your garage door together. The average residential garage door opens and closes over a thousand times a year. Therefore, it is natural for the hardware to loosen over time. Loose hardware can put undue strain on garage door components and result in broken or disconnected parts. Inspect the hardware on your garage door every few months and tighten any loose components. Check it for cracked, warped, worn, or frayed parts twice a year. If pulleys, springs, or cables appear to be damaged, have a trained technician tighten and adjust them for you.
Check the residential garage door’s balance
An unbalanced door can put much strain on the opener, reducing its lifespan and posing a risk to anybody close. If your garage door is off-balance, detach the door from the automatic garage door opener using the emergency release cord. Bring the door halfway up and then let go of the handle. If the door is balanced, it will stay in the middle with some back-and-forth motion. The door will fall to either side if it is off-balance. Have your door inspected by a professional technician if this is the case. They will check your garage door spring, cables, upper and lower rails/tracks, safety sensors, and all other components.
Replace the weatherstripping if necessary
Check the weatherstripping at the bottom of your door every few months to ensure it is in good working order. Does the rubber show any cracks or breaks? If yes, replace the weatherstripping as soon as possible to prevent water and other elements from seeping into your garage. You can purchase weatherstripping products from a local hardware shop. Cut the new piece to the proper size and insert it into the door’s grooves. Make sure the door’s wide-angle flanges are on the inside.
Inspect your garage door’s structure for damage
Whether you have a sectional or roll-up garage door, inspect it regularly to prevent minor damage from becoming severe. Always check your garage door for damage symptoms, such as chipped or peeling paint, warped panels, or any other problems. It is critical to respond quickly if the structure of a garage door is visibly broken. The longer you leave it alone, the more likely water damage will result in mold growth and other significant problems.
Garage Door Service Near Me
If you are looking for the best garage door maintenance service in the Omaha area, look no further than Titan Garage Doors NE. Our seasoned technicians can help you with everything from garage door repair to installation. We offer free estimates on our garage door service, so you can get an accurate idea of what it will cost to hire us. Plus, we are serving the greater Omaha area and surrounding locations, including Lincoln, Papillion, and Bellevue, NE, and Council Bluffs, IA. Contact Titan Garage Doors NE today to schedule a free consultation.