Garage Door Maintenance

Having a garage can make any residential and commercial property owners’ lives easier. The safety and security that they are able to provide to vehicles or their other valuables can give peace of mind. But unlike other doors in your house, garage doors are constantly subject to wear and tear as they are being used several times in a day and are exposed to outdoor elements such as the changing weather.

After the installation, garage door maintenance often comes next and this is critical if you do not want to keep repairing your garage door over again. There are several things that could likely happen when the door is not properly and regularly maintained. The garage door opener could get stuck or the door cable may come part. All of these can result to inconvenience as well as potential risk to the safety of your belongings or of anyone that is near the door.

In order to keep your garage in proper working order, so it can continue providing storage and security, garage door maintenance is recommended on a regular basis. Performing routine maintenance for your garage doors can expand its lifespan while helping you avoid costly repairs in the future.

Garage Door Maintenance Tips

The lack of proper and regular garage door maintenance can lead to expensive repairs and eventually replacement. While the garage door parts are designed to be longer lasting and capable of withstanding the test of weather elements and time, it is important to give periodic attention and time to it so it can serve its purpose of keeping your vehicles and belongings safe and secure for a long while.

Garage door maintenance can either be performed by their owners or with the help of professionals. Simple problems that can be easily addressed can be handled by homeowners. But if the level of the problem is beyond your scope, you should not hesitate to contact the professionals for some help.
If you are unsure of when to do the maintenance task on your own and when to hire the professionals, here are some simple tips to help you out.
DIY vs. Professional Garage Door Maintenance

There are some garage door maintenance chores that you can perform on your own. You won’t need any professional help as you only have to inspect if its parts are intact, if some are falling apart or if there are those that create odd noise or showing an irregularity in its form. If during the inspection you have spotted some issues that present a huge challenge to do on your own, you can then call for the help of professionals for repairs that need to be done, especially those that require immediate attention.

One of the things you can do on your own to maintain your garage doors is by visually inspecting all its parts every three to six months. By looking at it inside and out, you can easily detect any rust, cable wear, broken parts or loose hardware. This way, you will identify right away if repainting, tightening or replacing of old and broken components is necessary.

You may consider yourself as a handy homeowner who can perform some maintenance work for your garage doors but a professional service can be a great help when you can’t seem to figure out what is wrong with your garage doors or when the task is too much for you to handle. Professional garage door service providers are also dependable when you can’t squeeze repairing some problems in your busy schedule.

Garage doors operating in torsion spring require professional expertise in ensuring that they work properly and rust is prevented from developing over time. Without proper keep up, the spring can break and can harm anyone nearby. The same thing is true with chain driven doors. They need to be closely examined by the professionals for correct lubrication of the opening mechanism.

Professionals are equipped with experience and tools to test every critical component of your garage door, including the force and balance. They are also trained in the tune-up and repair of worn or damaged parts.

Homeowners are advised to have their garage doors serviced by the professionals once a year, just before the onset of more extreme weather conditions. The best time to have the door serviced is during spring or fall. The amount of attention that you put in maintaining your garage door can give you guarantee that you will have a reliable garage to keep your valuables safe all year long.

Safety Precautions

In any house maintenance work, safety comes first. The first rule is to make sure you know exactly what you are doing. Garage door maintenance, especially if it involves some repairs, can be quite dangerous and you can subject yourself to injury and other mishaps if you do not practice precaution while working on the repairs. That is why it is recommended to call for professionals when you find it challenging to carry out the necessary garage door repair.

It is also essential that you have all the tools that you need ready. You never want to end up frustrated only because you lack a few tools.
As soon as you start the job, remember to remove the lift cable as they under tremendous tension and tends to be dangerous if released. Avoid adjusting or releasing the spring of the garage doors. That is a job that only professionals can handle.

If you want to keep your garage doors in good working order in the years to come, here are some simple maintenance tips that do not require special skills or expertise and would only take a few minutes of your time to accomplish. A little effort can go a long way as far as extending the life service of your garage doors is a concern.

Pay close attention to all the changes you have observed to the garage doors

For instance, if you have a metal garage, keep an eye on spots where rust is evident. To treat the flaw, all you have to do is sand, prime and paint the area. Garage doors made of wood, on the other hand, should be examined for any water damage. When not sealed correctly, the wood tends to warp, changing its shape over time.
An all-purpose cleaner can do the trick of keeping your garage door clean. Wash the door regularly to keep it looking clean and presentable, hence improving the overall appearance of your property.

Notice the noise it creates while being operated

Does the garage door generate unusual noise? Are the cables and spring pulleys looking symmetrical on either side? Does it create a smooth movement when being lifted or put down? Take the time to observe these things as you use your garage doors. This lets you become aware of what is wrong with it.

Test the garage door balance

This requires disconnecting the opener by dragging the red handle at the red cord ending. Open the garage door halfway and in case it closes on its own, then it could be a sign that the door is imbalanced and re-adjusting the springs may be necessary. It is best to leave the replacement of the springs to professionals.

Check to see if there is a need to replace weatherstripping

Have you noticed that the rubber piece being fixed on the bottom of the door? It is known as weatherstrip that works by keeping rainwater and debris from penetrating into the garage. You may want to replace the strip right away once it starts to crack. Tools like a flat blade screwdriver can come handy in removing the old weatherstrip. This needs to be done before a new one is installed.

Tighten up hardware

Make it a habit to check the screws and bolts on the door. The bolts and screws tend to loosen when the door is constantly moved. Using a wrench, secure the brackets tightly on the rollers as well as the bolts.

Check the rollers

Inspect and replace any broken garage rollers immediately. Remember to replace the rollers only when it is not attached into the cable system of the door, if you do not want to hurt yourself in the process or if you do not want to aggravate the problem.
Rollers need to be inspected two to three times a year and replacing them often takes place every seven years.

Why Opt for Professional Garage Door Maintenance

If you are not confident about doing the maintenance routine on your own or if you do not have enough time to perform these check-ups, a garage door professional can ease all the troubles for you. Many garage companies such as Garage Guru can provide you with inexpensive tune-up services to keep your garage doors working properly and smoothly throughout the year.

For your garage door maintenance, repairs or replacement needs, there is nothing that Garage Guru can expertly and professionally handle. They are experienced in the field, servicing the residential and commercial property owners of the entire San Antonio and other neighboring towns in their garage door needs.