If you own a garage door, you know that it’s the largest piece of equipment in your home. Depending on your lifestyle, the door probably works often each day. The more it operates, the more maintenance it requires. Neighborhood Garage Door Service of San Diego, CA can handle all your repair needs, but there are some things you can do before we’re needed.
Regular garage door maintenance is not an area that most homeowners focus on. However, it’s very important for the life of the assembly. Here are some things that will keep your door in good condition.
Check the Balance of the Door
An unbalanced door will struggle during opening and closing cycles. While it may still continue working, the unbalanced weight will eventually break the door.
To check the balance, wait until the door is halfway open and then stop the door. If it’s properly balanced, it should stay still. If the door falls, it needs a repair.
Look Carefully At the Rollers
Since most rollers are made from durable materials such as steel or nylon, they will last for several years. Inspecting the rollers a few times a year will let you know when they need a replacement. Your rollers should be replaced if they have rust or have thinning places.
If your rollers need a replacement, it is easy to do. You will notice brackets attached to the rollers. Remove the bracket, put in a new roller, and put the bracket back on. You should immediately replace worn out rollers to keep your garage door running smoothly.
Inspect the Cables
The more use your garage door experiences, the quicker it wears out. When this happens, cables fray and even snap. Carefully look at them and be sure they are in good condition.
Listen and Look
The more you listen and look when your garage door is moving, the more you will notice when something isn’t right. As your garage door runs through its cycles you should:
- Listen for any grinding or scraping noises
- Look for any shaking or vibrating of the door
- See if the door stops before the cycle is done
If you notice either of these issues, call an expert right away. It means serious problems with the motor or other parts of the system.
Replace Worn Insulation
Insulation, such as weather-stripping, seals your garage from the outside elements. If the weather-stripping no longer adheres to the door, it’s not helping your garage. Replace it as soon as possible.
Adjust the Sensors
Garage door sensors are responsible for keeping you safe. Take time to test them by placing something like a roll of paper towels in front of them. If the door reverses when the roll crosses the door opening, that tells you the sensors are working just fine.
Survey the Entire Door
Take some time to inspect the outside of your door. Any number of things tend to damage garage door paneling. The smallest scrape or dent hinders the door’s operation.
Doing these things a few times each year will save you from buying a new garage door before it’s necessary. When you conduct your inspections, be sure and call Neighborhood Garage Door Service of San Diego, California if you notice serious problems.
