The garage door is one of the most utilized features in your home. The average person clicks their garage door button at least four times daily. Unfortunately, it is easy to overlook routine home garage door inspection and maintenance that will help reduce costs in the future.
An at home garage door inspection doesn’t need to be very frequent and takes only a few minutes to complete. Early detection of garage door problems will keep repair costs low and ensure that you don’t need a full replacement any time soon.
So, what steps can you take today to extend the life of your Atlanta home’s garage door to a decade or more?
Monthly Inspections
As stated earlier, this is the most critical part of saving you money on your garage door. A regular monthly inspection is broken into a few essential parts:
- Cursory assessment: Stand inside your garage with the door closed and look over the tracks, springs, cables, and mounting equipment. Simple wear and tear is expected. However, you should call a technician if you notice any signs of rust, broken parts, or loose hinges. Also, do a quick test run of your garage door. Does it open/close at a steady rate, or does it get stuck along the way? Remember to listen for any unnatural noises like screeching as well.
- Testing the Reverse Safety Mechanism: Every garage door manufactured since 1993 has reverse safety technology. In other words, if your garage door closes and comes in contact with another object, it should automatically reverse. Place a small piece of wood underneath your garage door and see if it lifts back up at contact.
- Balance Testing: Turn off your automated garage door and try hand-lifting. Stand in front of your garage door and lift it. It should open with only a tiny amount of force. If your garage seems extremely heavy or jammed, it may have an alignment or balance issue.
Cleaning and Lubricating the Track
Reducing noise in your garage can be as easy as lubricating the overhead track. Never make the mistake of using WD-40, though. It will evaporate within a week of application. You want to use a long-lasting, silicone-based lubricant. This will keep the track smooth and quiet. If you’re using the right garage door lubricant, this is only necessary once every six months.
Before lubricating the track, performing a thorough cleansing is also a good idea to eliminate the grime and dirt that may be lodged in it. Your garage door has dozens of moving parts that all grind against each other, so a lot of residue can build up quickly and cut the life of your garage door in half. Simply use a damp paper towel to scrub the insides of the track and a metal-solvent cleaner for any sticky materials.
Replacing the Weather Seals
Designers configure the weather seals on the bottom of your garage door to keep your garage fully insulated. This protective lining keeps bugs and unwelcome animal visitors from crawling beneath the garage door, keeps cold air from flowing in from the bottom, and stops water from leaking into the interior of your garage. Open your garage door and inspect the weather seals for holes or damage. While these typically last for years at a time, a garage door technician can replace them quickly and at a low price.
Realigning the Safety Sensors
At the bottom of your garage door are infrared beams that check the closing area for obstructions. Even an object the size of a tennis ball will signal the garage door to reopen, and a blinking light will flash on the safety sensors. Clear any obstructions that may be in the way of your garage door, and make sure that the sensors are properly aligned a few inches off the ground.
These are only a few tips to ensure that your garage door lasts a long time. Remember that a little bit of maintenance goes a long way. If you encounter any problems, the experts at CSS Garage Doors can help. Give us a call today with any questions about maintaining your garage door.