Let’s face it: a garage isn’t just a garage. Ask any guy who’s married. He’ll tell you the garage is a man’s home away from the inside of the house. Hence, garage door maintenance is essential. Keep reading to learn about garage door parts and how to care for them.
If I’m not focused on the game, I am fixing something in my man cave. I’m solving house problems that only I can understand. I need my space to be comfortable. However, I don’t have the time to search through my lifetime collection of tools for garage door parts as I worry about an accident shutting down my man cave. I love my space, but most importantly, it must be safe. It must be a safe place for my kids to play. In addition, it must be a dry storage area for all the stuff that won’t fit inside the house and a natural burglar deterrent.
We’ve found with most of our customers that homeowners are often left unprepared when something as fundamental as the garage door breaks down. But when it eventually fails, the safety and security of your home disappears. When your family’s safety is at risk, you want the problem solved correctly.
Our mission is to help clients create a safer home environment. Hence, we believe that safety awareness is a key element of prevention and maintenance. But before you decide to buy a new garage door or fix your broken one with spare parts from your tool bag, please keep reading for some tips that will save you time and money.
Tool Box #1: The Power Tools
The Tools: As all guys know, double-check the batteries or power cord before you try to take apart or fix anything that runs on battery or electricity. The same holds true for your garage door. The parts that work together to power the door are the opener (usually located on the ceiling), the inverter and battery (backup for DC current), and the remote controller.
Warning Signs: Your garage door makes clicking, grinding, or squeaky sounds or does not open/close smoothly. If you’ve tested the remote’s batteries and made sure your electricity is running, then there’s a possibility that the garage door opener may be malfunctioning. Check the breaker panel, make sure the antenna wire is properly exposed, and check for dead transmitters or worn gears. So, if you suspect that your garage door may be failing, contact a garage door service professional for assistance.
Tool Box #2: Moving Parts
The Tools: If it’s not moving, it’s not working. The parts of your garage door that create movement consist of the hinges, drive mechanisms, tracks, torsion springs, spring brackets, and rollers.
Warning Signs: Time and weather can cause hinges and tracks to rust. Similarly, poor lubrication will erode the drive mechanism until it wears out. If you adhere to a consistent maintenance schedule, you can indefinitely postpone purchasing a replacement. However, after time, a qualified expert should replace most garage door parts.
Tool Box # 3: Safety Features
The Tools: “If she ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Keep your garage and your marriage safe with the safekeeping of your garage door. Regularly check the bottom seal (strip of black rubber between floor and door), safety sensors (LED-lit, box-enclosed sensors), cables (protection for springs), and the keypad (home security). Regularly maintaining your garage’s safety features allows you to eliminate almost all possibilities of break-ins. This means a good night’s sleep for the whole family.
Warning Signs: Many factors, including power, weather, debris, rust, faulty hinges, or substandard parts, can cause your garage’s safety features to malfunction, raising the chance of garage door accidents. Call a professional immediately if you suspect that your garage is not secure.
Maintenance Saves Time and Money
Maintaining your garage door parts today can help you save a lot of money tomorrow. If you have trouble diagnosing your problem, check out this complete guide. You can also call a local professional to help you walk through the process. Make sure to find a company that uses top-quality parts and has experienced technicians who will get the job done the right way the first time.