Keep Your Garage Door Working Like New With These Five Tips

Five TipsA new garage door is a smart investment that can significantly increase your home’s overall value. It’s hardly worth it, however, if you don’t put in a little regular maintenance to keep your purchase performing like new. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do without much extra effort to protect the longevity of your garage door. Here are five of the easiest maintenance tasks you can do to keep your garage door running like new.

Clean

All garage doors benefit from an annual cleaning. Check your garage door once a year for residue and rust. Sometimes oil from the track can get onto the side of the door and leave a black residue. It’s also common for rust to build up at the bottom of the door over time. These are no big deal if washed, but can lead to more serious problems down the road if left untreated. Clean your garage door with soap and water once a year to prevent residue and rust buildup.

Inspect

Making monthly inspections a part of your garage maintenance routine is the best way to ensure your door is performing the way it should and keep it doing so for years to come. Monthly inspections are easy to do and only take a few minutes. First, check for any signs of wear on tracks, springs, pulleys, and any other hardware. Next, check that all hardware is tightened and that cables do not show any signs of fraying. If you notice any major damage or a broken cable, call Carroll Garage Doors for service and repair.

Balance

A balanced garage door is a happy garage door. When the balance is off, you may start to notice the door jerking open unevenly and laboriously. This is a serious problem and safety hazard, so it’s a good idea to prevent it by doing monthly balance checks. To do so, disconnect the mechanism that automatically opens the door. Next, use your hands to lift the garage door open. If it doesn’t go up easily and seems to put up a fight, it may need to be repaired.

Reverse

Checking to ensure your reverse mechanism is working is extremely important. While it’s unusual for this safety feature to break down, it can be a serious problem if it does. The reverse mechanism uses a photo sensor to automatically open a closing garage door if something or somebody is in its way. Checking for effectiveness only takes a few minutes. Open your garage door and grab an object like a mop or piece of wood. Place it where the garage door meets the ground and close the door. When it strikes the object it should automatically raise back up.

Refresh

After all your checks are complete, put a fresh coat of oil on the garage door tracks, hinges, and rollers at least twice a year. This will keep them from deteriorating and prevent loud screeching. If you have any other questions about garage door maintenance or would like to schedule service, call Carroll Garage Doors for assistance.

Posted on August 4, 2014
Carroll Garage Doors
1340 Rambling Rd Simi Valley, CA 93065
(949) 585-9055