All residential garage doors need the right maintenance. It’s not so much about if, but when it will be required. Even commercial garage doors require a little TLC from time to time. Failing to maintain your garage door could be a very costly (and dangerous!) mistake.
What’s the single largest moving object in your home? If you said the garage door, congratulations! You’re at the head of the class. Not only is it the largest moving object, but your garage door gets used at least twice every day to enter and leave the home. As such, you really need to understand proper maintenance.
Don’t become a statistic
In 2014 alone, the U.S. saw more than 18,000 injuries and accidents related to garage doors. Every year, malfunctioning or poorly maintained garage doors cause thousands of injuries. Some accidents even result in death, which shouldn’t be a big surprise when you consider the average garage door weighs 200-350 pounds.
What causes these accidents? According to the statistics, the most common reasons were:
- Improper calibration of the safety reverse system (mechanical or photoelectric)
- Imbalanced torsion or extension spring systems
- Component failure
Make time for your door
One of the simplest ways to remember your maintenance responsibilities is the use the tools at your disposal. Don’t rely on your memory – it’ll betray you. Instead, set a reminder on your smartphone. That way, you always know when it’s time and you won’t miss a step. Don’t worry – it’s not something you’ll need to spend all day doing, either. It usually takes 30 minutes or less and will ultimately save you thousands of dollars, while keeping you and your family safer. Not sure what to do in terms of garage door maintenance? Keep reading.
The Maintenance Process
We mentioned inspecting in the fall and spring, but do you know how many times you should be inspecting your garage door each year? The standard fall and spring inspections are a must for all garage door owners. If you use your garage more than twice a day, you will probably need to add in another inspection or two, just for safety.
Step one: look and listen
The first step is to inspect the door and all its associated components. You don’t even need to break a sweat! Begin by opening and closing the door. Listen while the door is in motion. Do you hear anything out of the ordinary? Any abnormal sounds should be cause for concern. Double-check that:
- All cables/chains are operating free and clear
- There is no sign of wear or fraying on cables
- That the track sections are tight and lined up correctly
If you spot anything abnormal, make a note so you can speak with a garage door repair professional about it.
Next up, take a look at your torsion spring or extension spring system. You’ll find torsion springs installed above the door in a steel tube while extension springs will be found above the horizontal tracks that run along the garage ceiling. If there’s no.
Next up, you’ll want to inspect the rollers. The sides should be round, not flattened, and they should roll in the track, no slide. After that, look at all of the hinges, brackets, and smaller hardware pieces. Check for loose pieces, missing bolts or screws, or anything that may be broken.
It is also important to check the weatherstripping. It’s installed around the sides and at the bottom of the door to help prevent air and moisture from getting in. Make sure that the weatherstripping is in good condition, and that there are no tears or gaps. It can become dry rotted over time, so keep an eye out for cracking and other signs of damage.
Finally, take a minute to locate all of the sensors for the photoelectric safety reversal system. Wipe the sensors with a clean cloth to remove any dirt and debris. Check for other obstructions nearby, as well.
Step two: lubricate necessary parts
When it comes to lubrication, only some parts need your attention. Lubricating parts that don’t require it could lead to damage or problems with operation.
For this job, you must have two different lubricants, which you can find at Door Systems Worcester:
- A 5W30 auto engine oil is the best choice for lubricating metal components that may rust or suffer from metal-to-metal contact, such as tracks. When lubricating the track, you only need oil in the curves and the horizontal pieces.
- A silicone-based lubricant is what you’ll need to protect your weatherstripping. You should use this along the entire interior side of the weatherstripping and in between the door sections. Cover the weatherstripping all the way around the door, as well as the piece that’s on the bottom of the door, otherwise, it could stick to the floor and cause damage.
- Remember that you’re going to want to clean everything before you start lubricating the parts. If there’s any residual grease or oil from previous maintenance, wipe that off completely.
Final step: test the safety systems
The last step has nothing to do with lubrication and everything to do with protecting your safety and that of your family. Garage door mechanical and photoelectric safety systems have been used for over 20 years at this point. They help prevent accidental closure when a person or object is in the way of the door. You need to inspect and test these systems regularly. Many manufacturers recommend doing it monthly.
Mechanical Test: Place a 2’x4’ or another piece of wood on the threshold so that the door will close on it. Then, use a remote or the garage button to close the door automatically. When the door hits the piece of wood, it should reverse and open the door.
Photoelectric Test: Use the remote to close the garage door. While it is going down, put your foot in front of one of the sensors that are located on either side of the door. That should interrupt the light beam and cause the motor to reverse and re-open the door.
If either of these tests does not work, you need to contact Door Systems Worcester immediately for service.
A few minutes spent on garage door maintenance will offer a number of benefits. Of course, one of the most obvious is that your door will operate correctly for much longer. That saves you money on repairs and replacements. However, it also means that you and your family will be safer. There’s really no way to put a price tag on that peace of mind.
Short on time?
We’re all pressed for time today. It’s entirely possible that you just can’t carve the necessary 30 minutes out of your already-packed schedule. I that’s the case, don’t worry – a residential garage door specialist can take care of all your needs.
Contact us today at 508-752-4677 to learn more about our tune-up service. If you’re considering a full garage door replacement and/or the purchase of a new garage door opener, we’re happy to work with you, as well. We’ll gladly send an email quote so that you can review your options.
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