When owning a home, it’s common for homeowners to come across problems that can develop with their garage door. Many times, the product has difficulty opening and closing or it may make a lot of noise when in operation. To maintain your garage door and prevent issues that are prone to occur, here are a few maintenance steps you can utilize.

1. Inspect the Torsion Springs

Hire a trained technician to inspect the torsion springs to determine if they need to be repaired or replaced. If the springs are not in good condition, they can break and easily lead to an injury.

2. Clear Items Away From the Tracks

It’s important to keep equipment like tools and brooms away from the tracks of the garage door.  These can become stuck in the track. All of the bolts near the tracks should also be inspected to ensure that the garage door opens and closes properly.

3. Check the Door Balance

Disconnect the garage door opener before checking the door balance. You can then disengage the door from the opener. After opening the door manually it should not lower if balanced properly.

4. Clean the Garage Door

Clean the garage door with soap and water once a year to remove dirt and grime that can develop. For wood doors, you’ll need to inspect it to determine if repainting or staining needs to be done.

5. Replace the Weather-Stripping

It’s important to replace the rubber seal on the bottom of the garage door to prevent moisture, leaves, and other environmental elements from entering the garage. Specialists at J & D Door Sales Inc. report that this seal can easily become loose or fall off of the door over time, making it important to check every year.  Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your door by many years.

6. Lubricate the Parts

Lubricate the bearings, hinges, and springs with a non-silicone based lubricant. Avoid lubricating the tracks, otherwise, the door could slip. Taking this small step will allow everything to run smoothly and prevent jams from occurring.

By caring for your garage door and taking preventative measures, it will last for many years to come. This will also reduce your chances of coming across common problems that can occur, which can often be expensive to remedy. By practicing proper care, it will save more time and money in the long run.