Your garage door provides critical protection for your home and vehicle. Since it consists of several moving parts, it will require routine care. While some tasks are simple enough for homeowners to complete safely, there are other garage door maintenance projects best left to a professional. This guide outlines the differences between these two categories.

Do:

Tighten bolts & hardware.

Your garage door vibrates as it runs, loosening the hardware that holds the system together. It will need to be tightened at least once a year. Check the tracks for any loose screws that can be fixed with a simple hand drill; if you have trouble or can’t reach some screws, let a professional take care of them.

Lubricate the system.

The door’s moving parts can create friction if they aren’t lubricated properly. To keep metal components from rubbing together, apply white lithium grease to the lift system chain and a spray lubricant to the overhead springs.

Clear the tracks.

The tracks that guide your garage door should move smoothly, but debris can block the rollers. Remove any personal items that can interfere with the door’s lift system and sweep away plant matter and cobwebs that might be stuck in the tracks.

Don’t:

Try to test the balance alone.

A system of springs helps counteract the weight of a large, solid garage door, reducing strain on the lift motor. Testing the equipment’s balance is a delicate process that should only be performed by a professional. When the tech disconnects the garage door from its motor, it should stay at any position they put it in, open or closed. If it moves, then the springs need to be adjusted or replaced.

Replace mechanical components yourself.

The most common garage door maintenance tasks involve replacing small but vital parts of the system like the weatherstripping and rollers. The rollers should be checked twice a year for cracks and flaws that could shorten the garage door’s life span. If you detect a problem, have a garage door tech replace them to ensure the new parts are installed and aligned correctly—otherwise, they may produce resistance when opening and closing the door.

Adjust the springs.

Of all the parts of your garage door that may need repair or replacement, the springs are the most dangerous. The metal is under high tension, and if adjusted improperly, they may snap or break free, whipping out quickly enough to cause severe injuries. Don’t attempt any repairs involving your garage door springs; instead, call a garage door maintenance service.

 

If you’re overdue for some basic garage door maintenance, call Central Garage Door in Columbia, MO. With over 30 years of service and competitive prices, they’ll add years to the life of your garage door and provide superior workmanship every time. Their team handles everything from annual tuneups to major component replacements, ensuring your family’s safety. To schedule a visit, contact them at (573) 886-7810 or online.