If you want your garage door to function properly for the entirety of its lifetime, you have to take care of it. If you fail to do so, your opener will almost certainly fail, fall into disrepair, and otherwise fall short of its full lifespan and require a replacement.
We know a thing or two about the topic, so we thought you might find it helpful to have a simple garage door opener maintenance checklist handy.
In this article, you will discover a few things you can to maintain the door opener so it functions properly over the years.
How Often Should You Maintain Your Garage Door?
You’ll need to know how often you need to be looking over your garage door for any issues to fix. According to most experts, you should be servicing that garage door annually. This is recommended for multi-car homes that are regularly opening and closing their garage doors. If you don’t use yours that often, you may be able to leave it a little longer between services, but you will still need to ensure it gets done.
Now, you’ve got to start checking your garage door. What do you do to ensure that it’s in good working condition? Work your way down this checklist and look for any problems. In most cases, your door should be fine. If you come across anything that’s not quite right, it’ll be time to call on a professional to come and take a look at it for you.
1. Watch Your Door
You can keep an eye on your garage door all year round, by watching it when you open and close it. You’re looking for it to open and close smoothly, with minimal noise. Is the door jerking or opening erratically? Is it making a lot of undue noise? Is it pulling up unevenly? Then it’s time for you to investigate to see what can be done to fix it.
2. Test The Garage Door Balance
If your garage door isn’t properly balanced, then it will have to work harder in order to open. This shortens the lifespan of your garage door opener. To test the balance of your door, disconnect the opener and manually open the door about halfway. It should stay in place once you let go of it. If it starts to close once you let go, the door will need some work to restore the balance. Usually, the springs will have worn out and will need replacing. In this instance, it’s better to let an expert handle it for you, as springs can be dangerous when handled improperly.
3. Inspect And Replace The Rollers
The rollers on your garage door opener will be either steel or nylon, and either way will need to be checked out to see if they need replacing. They will be wearing out if you notice cracks or chips in them. These are fairly simple to change out yourself if you follow the instructions in the manual you should have got with your garage door when it was installed.
4. Lubricate The Moving Parts
It’s amazing how many homeowners never think to lubricate the moving parts of your garage door, even though they’re moving multiple times every day. This part of the maintenance job will only take 10 minutes, and it’s essential to keep it working properly. Use spray lubricant on the overhead springs, and white lithium grease on the opener’s chain or screw.
5. Test The Auto Reverse Feature Of Your Door
The auto-reverse feature is essential on your garage door, as it keeps you safe when using your garage. Ensure it’s working properly by testing it. You’ll want to place a brick or piece of wood on the floor, then let the door start to shut on it. If the feature is working properly, then it should start to open again once it comes near to the door. If it doesn’t then the system will need adjustment. Again, this is something that you will need to get a professional to come and adjust for you.
6. Clear The Tracks
The tracks of your garage door need to be maintained to ensure the door functions properly. Dirt and dust will accumulate in those tracks and will affect the way it opens. You can get in there and clean them out, helping the door run smoother. If you want, you can use a level to check the plumb. If it’s significantly out of balance though, you’ll want to call in an expert to fix it for you.
7. Check The Door Itself For Cosmetic Damage
It’s a good idea to check the door for any exterior damage, as the weather can do a number on it over the year too. Look for any signs of rot or water damage in wooden doors, and check for dents in steel doors. These can be hammered out if they’re small enough. If there are any rust spots, you can sand them down and prime and paint them. If you wash your door with water and a mild detergent, at the same time as you wash your car, it’ll keep it clean.
Troubleshooting
If anything isn’t working, it’s a good idea to troubleshoot it before looking for help. Your manual should have some troubleshooting tips for any common problems that may crop up when you’re working on your door. Check them first, as you’ll often find a solution there.
Call In A Professional If Needed
If you’ve done all these checks and there are some things you’re not sure of, then the best thing to do is call your local garage door repair company. They will help you diagnose any issues with the door, and get it fixed for you quickly and safely. Remember, garage doors can be dangerous when they’re being repaired, so don’t take any chances with yours.
With this checklist, you’ll be able to keep your garage door in top condition every year. Stick to the list and you’ll catch any problems before they become bigger issues later down the line. If you’re ever unsure, it’s a good idea to call a professional service.