Depending on how often you use it, your home’s garage door can last anywhere between 15 and 30 years. But in order to achieve this kind of longevity, Felluca Overhead Door reveals that there are a few things homeowners must do to keep their doors in good repair. Following these tips won’t just reduce your need for garage door repair—it can also help maintain the strength and appearance of the door.

5 Ways to Prevent Garage Door Damage

1. Keep Tracks Clean

From stray leaves to dirt, there are a lot of things that can find their way into your garage door tracks. Get in the habit of cleaning these free of debris on a regular basis. This will not only help keep the system clean but prevent the track from jamming up.

2. Seal with Weatherstripping

Garage door weatherstripping serves many important purposes whether you’re experiencing summer heat or winter cold. For one, it helps maintain energy-efficiency in your garage by preventing hot and cold air from escaping. Secondly, weatherstripping seals the edges from water. Without it, your garage—and the door—could be subject to water damage that is caused by rain.

3. Lubricate Parts

If you hear screeching noises every time you trigger the garage door opener, the door’s moving parts probably need to be lubricated with an approved spray or oil. If there isn’t any noise, you should still touch up all metal mechanical parts—including hinges, rollers, and springs. This will not only help you achieve silent operation, but it will also promote efficient operation and prevent garage door components from serious damage.

4. Wash the Door Regularly

Your garage door is continuously exposed to the elements, so it is important to regularly scrub and rinse it with soap and water. Without this routine care, your garage door could be subject to dirt buildup, decay, and corrosion. For metal doors, there are many sealant products that can be used to maintain a beautiful finish.

5. Address Surface Damage

With routine care, garage door surface damage should be minimal. However, if you notice that wood surfaces are buckling due to water damage or rust spots have appeared on metal doors, you’ll want to address those problems right away. When small, these problems can be fixed easily, but if left unattended, they can lead to uncontrollable decay.

If this routine care isn’t enough to fix your garage door troubles, contact the experts at Felluca Overhead Door by calling (585) 467-2391. Backed by high-quality parts, these fully-insured specialists offer comprehensive garage door repair  and replacement services throughout Rochester, NY.