The Non-Negotiables of Garage Door Maintenance

Got a shiny new garage door? Brilliant news! But don’t neglect maintenance – it will help you get the very best out of your investment.

Whether you’ve invested in sleek sectional garage doors or gone for the convenience of electric garage doors, a bit of regular TLC will keep everything running smoothly for decades.

Don’t worry – it’s all pretty straightforward.

Monthly Visual Checks That Save You Money

The easiest maintenance habit you can develop costs nothing and takes about five minutes.

Once a month, give your garage door a proper look-over whilst it’s both closed and operating.

Check for dents, scratches, or rust spots on the door panels. Small issues caught early are usually cheap fixes, but left alone, they can turn into expensive problems. With sectional garage doors, pay particular attention to the joints between panels – these endure the most stress during operation.

Watch how the door moves when opening and closing. It should travel smoothly without jerking, sticking, or making unusual noises. Any changes in movement warrant attention.

Lubrication: A Five-Minute Task That Increases Door Life

Most garage door problems stem from a lack of lubrication. Every three months or so, grab a can of white lithium grease and spend five minutes on these key points:

●       All hinges where metal moves against metal

●       Roller bearings and the tracks they run in

●       Springs and spring mounting hardware

For electric garage doors, you can also lubricate the chain or belt drive system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A well-lubricated door operates more quietly, puts less strain on the motor, and lasts significantly longer than one that’s left to run dry.

Keep Those Tracks Clean and Aligned

Your garage door travels up and down metal tracks dozens of times every week. Those tracks collect dirt, leaves, small stones, and general debris that can interfere with smooth operation or even damage the rollers.

Monthly track cleaning takes minutes but prevents hours of headaches later. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the inside of both tracks, removing any buildup of dirt or grease. Check that the tracks are properly aligned – they should be perfectly vertical on the sides and level across the top.

Testing Safety Features Keeps Everyone Protected

Modern electric garage doors come with important safety features designed to prevent accidents and injuries. These systems need regular testing to ensure they’re working correctly when needed.

Test the auto-reverse feature monthly by placing a small object, such as a block of wood, under the door as it closes. The door should immediately reverse direction when it contacts the obstruction.

Further, check that any manual release mechanisms work properly. In the event of power outages or emergencies, you need to be able to operate your garage door manually.

Weather Seals and Hardware Checks

The rubber seals around your garage door might seem like minor details, but they’re vital for keeping weather, pests, and debris out of your garage. Inspect all weather seals every few months, looking for cracks, tears, or sections that have become brittle.

Replace damaged seals promptly. Water getting into your garage can damage stored items and even affect the garage door mechanism itself.

Finally, every few months, visually inspect all visible hardware and gently tighten any connections that have worked loose:

●       Hinge bolts on sectional garage doors

●       Track mounting brackets and supports

●       Spring mounting hardware and safety cables

Any issues you can’t easily handle should be referred to a professional. Be careful with DIY fixes if your door is still under warranty, as you might void it.

When to Call the Professionals

While regular homeowner maintenance prevents most problems, some tasks require professional expertise.

Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly. Any work involving springs, cables, or major adjustments should be left to a technician.

Similarly, electrical issues with garage door openers often involve components that require specific knowledge and tools. When in doubt, it’s often cheaper to call someone in than risk a DIY fix or bodge!

Of course, it helps to have a very robust, well-constructed door in the first place. Skandoor’s garage doors are exceptionally strong and durable, with three-year motor warranties and 10-year paint warranties.

Contact Skandoor if you would like to discuss replacing your old garage door. Or view our range of garage doors to upgrade your existing door today.