Your garage does more than house your car and other assorted belongings, such as tools and sports equipment. It also contributes to the property’s appearance and can serve as everything from a home gym to laundry space. To help keep the area functional and aesthetically pleasing, follow these tips for the garage door.

How to Maintain Your Garage Door

1. Clean the Photo Eyes

Keep the photo eyes on either side of your garage door free of cobwebs, dirt, and leaves so they continue communicating with one another. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the glass sensors and prevent blockages that cause opening and closing problems. Also, test the mechanical reverse feature by placing a box in the door’s pathway and closing it. If the safety feature isn’t functional, the door will continue closing instead of immediately reversing upon touching the box.

2. Wash the Exterior

Clean the door’s exterior by first rinsing debris with a garden hose. Then, apply a non-abrasive cleanser recommended by the garage door manufacturer to deep clean the surface. Finally, rinse the product with the hose and dry the door with a microfiber cloth. If the door is wooden, you can also repair holes with wood filler product, sandpaper, and a staining agent.

3. Lubricate Moving Parts

To keep the garage door moving smoothly, spray the track, rollers, hinges, and springs with a metal lubricant. Never use cooking oil to lubricate these parts to avoid attracting dirt, dust, and insects. Also, always clear the rollers of debris before spraying to prevent clogs that interfere with door functions. Finally, tighten fastening anchors and brackets with a socket wrench to keep the door in place and avoid wear from excessive vibrations during operation.

4. Schedule an Annual Inspection

Ensure the delicate springs and cables responsible for the garage door movements are working with annual maintenance checks. Experienced technicians check all door mechanisms and make repairs that avoid problems, such as a door that won't open or close. This preventative maintenance will help the feature last for years.

If you need help with maintenance, trust Felluca Overhead Doors, the oldest and most experienced garage door company in Rochester, NY. Family-owned and -operated for three generations, this company offers an extensive inventory and short turnaround times for all services. Call the recipient of the Angie’s List Super Service Award for the past three years at (585) 467-2391 for a quote, or learn more about their services online. You can also get additional garage door maintenance tips on their Facebook.