Typically, a homeowner ignores their garage door until it is a problem. They press a button and go without a second thought. A problem arises when it will not go up, or when it screeches in protest. Top Service Garage Door Repair, a professional service, encounters this problem on a daily basis. While a nonfunctional door can be frustrating, the problem can be prevented in most cases. If your current door is beyond repair, considering a garage door replacement in Pompano Beach can restore both function and security.
To keep your system functioning well, you need to do regular maintenance on your garage door. If you’re wondering how to maintain a garage door, the good news is that although it is recommended to hire a professional for repairs, you can do a series of easy steps to keep your garage door working in excellent condition.
Steps for Maintaining a Garage Door
Conduct Periodic Visual Inspections
The most effective means of identifying potential issues with your door is to observe and listen. In this case, we recommend entering your garage with the door shut and taking a good look at your hardware. Practicing garage door preventive maintenance is essential. Observe your cables, springs, rollers, and pulleys for damage. Notice if your cables show signs of wear or if your metal hardware is rusting.
Open and close the door and listen for grinding, scraping sounds. A properly cared for door will make very little noise. Stuttering motions or grinding sounds when operating can be an indication of loose or failing components. Catching these early can prevent these small issues from becoming emergencies.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Friction is a nemesis to all mechanical devices. One way you can easily prolong the life of your door is by maintaining the moving parts with a good layer of lubrication. Silicone spray or white lithium grease can be used in place of common WD-40 lubricant, which attracts dust and dries up overtime.
Use the lubricant on the roller bearings, hinges, and springs. Getting this done is recommended every three to six months. Using a lubricant on the opener will make it work with less effort, ensuring effortless movement of your door along the rails.
Keep Tracks and Rollers Clean
The rollers have their highway in your garage door tracks. Imagine a bumpy road if your highway is full of debris. Clean the interior of your garage door tracks with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, grease, or leaves. To properly maintain garage door functionality, avoid greasing your garage door tracks – if you do, your rollers will not roll properly, making your door unbalanced.
While you are cleaning, you can check if the tracks are vertical and horizontal. If you see that they are not, please call a professional. Loosening the bolts which hold the tracks in place can be very dangerous if your door is not in a secured place.
Let Professionals Handle Spring System Care
Torsion springs represent the muscles of your garage door system. Tension on these springs is immense, and they have the task of lifting this heavy load. As experts in this field, let us strongly emphasize a very important point: never try to repair or adjust these springs yourself.
However, you can check them manually. If you notice a gap in the coils, this indicates that your spring is broken. In this case, your door will not be able to open. For this reason, if you notice an inconsistency in your springs, you should call us immediately. A major cause of injuries pertaining to your garage door is do-it-yourself work on high-tension springs.
Test Your Safety Sensors
Contemporary garage doors have safety sensors called photo-eyes. They are located just below each side of the doorway. When any obstacle intercepts the invisible light passing between them, this reverse action is supposed to be automatic.
To check this function, you can put an item such as a paper towel roll in the doorway and push the button to close the door. If the door doesn’t reverse when it encounters the item, your safety sensors may not be lined up properly or may be malfunctioning. Wipe your lenses clean with a cloth, making sure they are lined up properly. If this problem persists, you need a professional to check your doors to make sure your family is safe.
Maintaining Your Peace of Mind
Spending twenty minutes in your garage a few months at a time can mean saving money in excess of a hundred dollars in emergency repairs. Our philosophy in this matter is in complete accord with the old saying: an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. While these steps have proven effective for maintaining your garage door, never forget to call Top Service Garage Door Repair with expertise in handling dangerous parts such as springs or cables!
