Keeping Your Garage Door in Good Shape
It’s important to keep your garage door in good shape — no homeowner would argue otherwise. However, many people don’t know how they can maintain their garage doors. While most garage door issues are best handled by a professional, there are a few things you can do to keep your door in good repair between professional inspections; you might even be able to postpone garage door repair services. A little garage door maintenance can go a long way toward saving you money and time.
While many repair and maintenance tasks are best handled by a specialized garage door company, there are a few things that homeowners can do themselves to keep their garage door in good shape. In this blog post, we’ll go over a few steps you can take — and the signs to look out for when it’s time for a more intensive inspection from a professional.
Perform a Visual Inspection
There are a few issues that even someone who doesn’t know anything about garage doors can keep an eye out for. Taking some time to inspect your garage door every so often can go a long way toward cost-effective operation. By catching issues early and taking quick action, you could save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Read on to find out just a few things you can look for to keep your garage well-maintained.
Rust
This is an easy one to spot. If any part of your garage door is rusting, it needs some attention. Rust weakens the structural integrity of your garage door’s metal parts, making them more likely to break. Keep an eye out for rust, and if you find any, it’s time to call a garage door repair technician to fix it up.
Bent Pieces
Even if you don’t know exactly what garage door components are supposed to look like, it can be pretty easy to spot one that is bent or warped. For instance, if one of the door rollers is bent, it will probably squeak or make a lot of noise when the door moves.
Over time, this causes additional wear and tear to the parts, which means they’ll need to be replaced more frequently. As you can imagine, this can get expensive quickly. So if you think one of your door’s parts — whether a track, a wheel, a hinge, or any other piece — is bent or damaged in any way, you should call a garage door expert.
Unusual Door Operation
If your garage door isn’t operating properly, you’ll know right away when you try to use it. If your door doesn’t open all the way, makes a lot of noise while moving, or “bounces” when closing, something’s definitely amiss. Since these issues could have all sorts of causes, and not all of them can be safely handled by the average homeowner, it’s best to call a garage door expert when your door isn’t running properly. Still, keeping an eye on your garage door performance and acting quickly when you find them is a great way to stay on top of your garage door’s regular maintenance.
Improper operation solutions range from simple fixes like changing the force or travel settings on your garage door opener to replacing your garage door springs, which is a much more dangerous job. Garage door springs hold a lot of tension at all times, which is how they move the door. If they release that tension unexpectedly, they can cause serious damage and injury. That’s why it’s best to let the pros handle this type of garage door service.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
Greasing the wheels a little is a vital part of garage door maintenance, and it’s an easy (and cheap) task for a homeowner to do. By using silicone lubricant and white lithium grease, you can keep your garage door moving smoothly. Apply the lubricant to the hinges, roller wheels, and tracks, and the grease to the chain or belt of your garage door opener. Run the door through an open-and-close cycle to ensure even coverage of all parts, and you’re good to go! Do this every six months or so, and you could save a lot of time and money on repairs.
Check Garage Door Sensors
Your garage door has several built-in safety features that are vital for safe operation. Garage doors are heavier than they look, and they can cause some serious damage to people and property if they fail at the wrong time. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make sure your door’s safety features are working properly.
One of the most important safety features of your garage door is the sensors. These make sure that the garage door doesn’t close while there’s something in its path. If your door isn’t closing, check to make sure nothing is blocking those sensors. They consist of one “sending” sensor and one “receiving” sensor. The sensors only work if the beam of light travels directly into the receiver. So if something is physically blocking them, the sensors’ lenses are smudged, the batteries or dead, or they’re even slightly out of alignment, they won’t let the door move.
Call Pioneer Overhead Door Company for Garage Door Maintenance!
If your garage door isn’t working the way it should, you need garage door service from qualified professionals who care. With unmatched customer service and a high level of skill, the Pioneer Overhead Door Company team is the best one to handle your garage door. Whether you just need routine maintenance or you need a full garage door replacement, our team will gladly help!
As a veteran-owned business local to the Vancouver WA area, our team understands the importance of giving back to the community. That’s why we offer discounts to our fellow veterans, as well as to senior citizens. Providing excellent garage door service to our neighbors — at fair prices — is our way of making your lives just a little bit easier. Give us a call whenever you need a quality garage door repair provider!