You rely on your garage door day in and out. It has a lot of moving parts that all require regular maintenance. Establishing a care plan will prevent costly breakdowns and accidents. Since there are several essential tasks to include, use the following guide to help you get years of use from your door.

How to Care for Your Garage Door

1. Check the Balance

The balance system counterweights the garage door so the motor can easily pull it up and lower it. An unbalanced door will jostle in the tracks and overstress the motor, leading to breakdowns.

Pull the red release handle while the door is closed. Next, lift the garage door halfway. It should stay in place when you let go. If not, contact repair professionals to re-balance it.

2. Inspect the Springs

Repair professionals recommend that homeowners don’t touch the torsion and extension springs because the high-tension is dangerous. You do need to monitor them, however.

Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the door and help lift and lower the door smoothly. Extension springs are mounted on either side of the door. Look for broken springs, rust, and worn down areas. A repair professional will clean these, and if needed, replace them for you.

3. Clean the Rollers

The door rolls on tracks whenever it opens or closes. These must be clean and well-lubricated. Debris will cause the door to open unevenly and bang within the tracking, which can damage parts.

Check these tracks each month. Clear debris with your hands or compressed air, and wipe dirt and other buildups. You should lubricate them every three months and check that all the screws are tight. This is an excellent time to check the rollers. If they’re chipped or cracked, replace them.

Whether you require garage repairs or are interested in a new custom garage door, contact United Garage Doors. This New Castle, DE, company provides comprehensive maintenance services, including spring replacement. They also serve commercial clients, which you can learn about on their website. Call (302) 414-9220 to schedule an inspection.