When you own a home, you are suddenly responsible for all of the problems that inevitably come along with home ownership. Along with plumbing issues, garage door problems can easily disrupt your life until the issue is fully resolved. From faulty garage door openers to problems with hinges and roller tracks, garage door issues can be varied and complicated, but they are always frustrating. If you have ever found yourself cursing at your garage door or longing to throw your garage door opener in the garbage, here are a few maintenance tips that could potentially save you a lot of trouble and frustration.
Clean and Lubricate
You wouldn’t go months without giving yourself a good bath, yet you have probably never cleaned your garage door parts if you are like most homeowners. Garage doors have many different moving parts that must be kept cleaned and lubricated in order to properly perform their intended duties. Over time, dirt and grime build up in those moving parts and can cause them to malfunction. Every year, schedule a garage maintenance day and clean any visible grime off of your garage door roller tracks, hinges, rollers, and latches. A good citrus-based solvent makes an excellent cleaner for grimy garage door parts. Once you have cleaned the surfaces, apply a coating of lubricant to the moving parts.
Inspection
To ensure the safety of your garage door, carefully inspect all of the moving parts to make sure they are not broken, bent, or fraying. If any cables show signs of fraying and excessive wear, schedule a repair appointment with garage door professionals right away.
Weather Sealant
A chipped or cracked weather sealant can cause your garage and your home to be more vulnerable to outside temperatures and water damage, so it is important to check your sealant often. If it is showing signs of breakage, it is important to replace it yourself or to have professionals come and replace it before the weather gets too hot or too cold.
Beautify
Once you have taken care of any mechanical garage door issues, it is important to keep your garage door looking clean and attractive by cleaning its surface with water and a gentle household detergent. Be sure to use a soft rag to wipe down the door so that you don’t scratch it during the process. Keeping your garage door clean has more than just aesthetic benefits. Because rolling garage doors have multiple panels, the spaces between those panels often collect dirt and other air born debris, which can make it more difficult for them to bend as the garage door is opening. A clean garage door will open more smoothly than a dirty garage door.
For serious garage door repair needs that you can’t take care of yourself, be sure to call Carroll Garage Doors and schedule a service.
