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How to Maintain Your Garage Door

The garage door is an important part of your home that will determine how easily you get in and out of the garage. Many people now use automatic garage doors due to the ease of use of the product. If you want to maintain the feature and increase its lifespan, there are a few important tips to follow as a homeowner.

Clean the Parts

It’s necessary to clean the parts of the garage door to preserve the materials over time. Use a soft sponge or a cloth with soapy water to wash down the exterior and remove dirt and grime that has accumulated before rinsing it off. Wood doors will need with a dry cloth before repainting or re-staining the surface to boost its color shade and allow it to look new again. A broom should also be used on the inside of the garage door to remove cobwebs that are present.

Schedule an Inspection

Hire a professional to inspect the garage door and identify any areas that need attention to ensure that repairs are made. The rollers, brackets, tracks, cables, and hinges will need to be checked to determine if any parts are damaged or missing. Testing the door balance is a crucial part of the inspection by disconnecting the power and manually lifting the door to your waist before releasing it. The professional will determine if too many issues are present and may recommend that it’s time for a new garage door if it’s reached the end of its lifespan.

Lubricate the Parts

According to garage door installation recommendations, you’ll need to lubricate the screw and chain on the opener at least one a year with the use of spray-on white lithium grease. The operation of the parts will work more smoothly once they’re lubricated and will also reduce the amount of noise that you hear when the garage door is opened and closed. The springs will also need lubrication with a product like WD-40 to prevent corrosion from occurring, which can cause the springs to break. If the springs need to be replaced, leave the job to a professional to reduce the risk of injuries or damage to the garage door.