Tips for Properly Maintaining Your Garage Door

A working garage door is very important. Without it, you may not be able to get your car in or out to get to work or perform your day to day tasks. Utilising these maintenance tips will help you to maximise the value you get out of your garage door, and you'll minimise the risk of getting locked outside or stuck inside your garage.  

Inspect the cables, springs, and tracks

The cables and springs are the parts that operate to lift your garage door. It is important to inspect them regularly to ensure they are not damaged. Should you notice some signs of wear or fraying due to the friction of regular use this must be repaired by a professional as it is unsafe for someone inexperienced to do so. 

Another simple trick is to listen to your door as it opens and closes. Keep an ear out for any scraping or grinding noises that may be caused by it catching in its tracks. This can develop into a large issue if not addressed so it is important to catch it early.

Clean your garage door

Garage doors need to be washed periodically. This can be done with an all-purpose cleaner. If you are located in coastal areas, this must be done more frequently due to the salty air. 

If you have a steel door, this may get rusty over time. To prevent damage, sand, prime, and paint over the area that has started to rust. If you have a wooden door, it will need sanding and restaining/repainting every 12 to 24 months to keep the door looking great and to prolong the life of the panel/panels.

Minimise damage to your door

It does not take much to damage a garage door and opener. Ensure that you have kept items away from the opening cables and springs so that it does not get caught and create damage. 

If your door does not have sensors (photo-electric beams) to detect items in the way, ensure nothing will obstruct the garage door during operation. Lastly, try not to dent the door as it can cause issues when being raised, it will also affect the aesthetics of the front of the door. 

Have your door opener serviced by a professional  

While a quick clean and tidy up of the tracks and panel/panels can be beneficial, it is risky servicing your garage door and opener yourself. Inexperience can cause damage to the garage door opener and cause long term problems to the door’s performance. Having a professional properly service your garage door and opener will give you the peace of mind that nothing nasty will come up in the future. 

Replacing a garage door is an expensive exercise so properly maintaining your garage door regularly will save you plenty in the long run.