Norman Garage Door takes a beating over time, with accidental collisions from vehicles and kids’ toys and the effects of weather elements. These dents and dings can affect the door’s functionality and overall look.
While many of these tips can be completed by a savvy do-it-yourselfer, leaving any adjustments or repairs to a qualified professional is important. These parts are under high tension and can be dangerous to handle.
Rollers and tracks are crucial for the smooth operation of a garage door. The doors can get stuck without them and cause additional damage over time. Regular inspections of these components and keeping them clean can ensure your garage door stays in good condition.
Examine the track for bends and cracks. If a track segment has been cracked, the door may have difficulty moving up and down the track. If this is the case, use pliers to straighten out the section of track manually.
The tracks should be free of any dirt and dust, which can interfere with the smooth movement of your garage door. You can use a damp cloth to wipe down the tracks. You can also use an old toothbrush to dislodge any thick dirt that has accumulated in hard-to-reach areas. For more stubborn dirt, you can use automotive brake cleaner. Once you have cleaned the tracks, lubricate them with a silicone or lithium-based lubricant.
You can also use a rubber mallet to gently tap the track into place. You should only use a light amount of force to avoid further damage to your garage door. After adjusting the track, test its alignment by closing and opening your garage door several times to make sure it operates smoothly.
If you notice that the door isn’t running smoothly, you should have your rollers and tracks professionally adjusted or replaced by an expert. The garage door repair company will be able to spot any potential issues and prevent them from worsening over time, saving you money in the long run. They will also be able to recommend the best products for your needs.
Clean the Surface
If your garage door is made of wood, you will need to regularly clean it with a wood cleaner to avoid water penetration, warping, and rot. You will also need to re-stain or re-seal every two to three years to keep it looking great and protecting your home from moisture damage.
To clean the surface of your garage door:
- Start by hosing it off to loosen up any dirt and debris.
- Use a sponge or cloth, and choose a non-abrasive cleaning solution like mild detergent, car wash soap, or a natural cleaner.
- Never use harsh or abrasive cleaners, as they will scratch the paint.
- When you’re done washing the surface of your garage door, rinse it thoroughly with a hose to remove any soap residue.
It’s a good idea to do this in the early morning or on an overcast day so that direct sunlight doesn’t heat up your garage door and break down the cleaning chemicals you used.
Be sure to get inside the corners of your garage door where dust and dirt can accumulate. Make sure you clean the hinges and rollers as well. Also, if your door has windows, be sure to clean the glazing.
After your garage door is clean, you can treat it with a wax to protect the finish. This will add a layer of protection against rust and sun damage.
While you’re at it, lubricate the moving parts of your garage door. This will keep them running smoothly and prevent them from overworking themselves and causing damage. Remember to lubricate both the springs and the hinges so that you don’t put too much pressure on one or the other.
Test the Door’s Balance
An unbalanced garage door is dangerous to those who use it. It can cause excessive strain on the springs and shorten their lifespans. In extreme cases, a garage door can even fall unexpectedly when you least expect it. Therefore, it is essential that homeowners test their doors’ balance regularly and call a professional when the balance needs to be adjusted.
The best way to test your garage door’s balance is by disengaging it from the opener using its manual release handle. Then, carefully lift it to the halfway point and hold it there. If the garage door feels light enough to move up and down with ease, it’s well balanced. If it slams shut or moves up too quickly, it’s out of balance and should be addressed immediately by a professional.
To perform a home balancing test, you will need a few tools and supplies. First, make sure the garage door is firmly disconnected from its opener. Then, loosen the adjusting collar by turning it clockwise to increase tension and counterbalance the weight of the door. Then, move the adjusting collar down to decrease tension and allow the door to open easily. Once you have the desired adjustment, tighten the screws and remove the winding bar to complete the balancing process.
It is recommended that you do a balance test monthly to ensure your garage door is operating at its optimal safety and performance levels. Performing this simple at-home test will help you identify any issues as they develop, allowing you to call a professional before they become more serious and potentially dangerous for your family. If you are interested in having a professional test your garage door’s balance, contact Precision Door to schedule an appointment.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Using store-bought specialty sprays to lubricate garage door moving parts is easy and inexpensive. However, before you begin, make sure to prep your work area and wear a pair of work gloves, protective face mask, and safety glasses. Lubricating can be a messy job, and you don’t want to disrupt dirt or grit and get your hands or eyes dirty. In addition, you should avoid standard degreasers such as WD-40 and mechanic’s grease as they can be damaging to some moving parts. Instead, opt for a lithium-based lubricant that is specifically designed for the door’s moving parts.
To start lubricating, stand inside the garage and look up at all the overhead track areas. Wipe away any grime, cobwebs, or dust that may be present in the moving parts. Next, apply a thin coat of lubricant with a silicone spray. These solutions are available in a variety of formulas, with aerosol sprays being the best for injecting the lubricant into small spaces.
Hinges are a big problem when it comes to squeaky garage doors, so you’ll want to carefully spray each hinge at the point where it bends to help the door move smoothly up and down. Then, you can lubricate the rollers, which are cylindrical pieces that sit in the door tracks next to each hinge. Be sure to lubricate the small spheres that are inside each roller as well. Lastly, spray lubricant on the springs and the bearing plates located on each side of them.
Don’t forget to spray the arm bar and lock, too. Ideally, you should open and close the garage door several times to spread out the lubricant and ensure it’s evenly distributed.
Maintain Safety Features
A garage door is one of the largest moving components on a home or commercial property, so it must be properly maintained to avoid accidents, damage and injuries. Following the nationwide requirements outlined in UL 325 can help ensure that your garage door operates safely and reliably, protecting family members, pets, visitors and employees.
Ideally, you should inspect and test your garage door on a monthly basis to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Using the procedures detailed in your manual, you can check to see if the safety mechanisms are working correctly by placing an object (like a stuffed animal or rolled-up paper towel) in the path of the door and activating the opener. The system should automatically reverse direction upon contact with the object to prevent damage and injury.
Other important maintenance steps include regularly lubricating the moving parts of your garage door to reduce friction and wear, which can extend their lifespan. Use a high-quality, non-greasy lubricant that is designed specifically for garage doors to minimize the risk of malfunctions and promote smooth operation.
You should also visually inspect the cables that connect your garage door to its spring system for signs of wear or frays, which can create a serious safety hazard if not repaired immediately. These cables are under a great deal of tension, so they can snap and exert sudden force when the garage door is activated. They should only be professionally inspected, lubricated and adjusted by a trained technician to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
It is important to teach your family about proper garage door maintenance and how to identify potential problems with the system. Serious issues like a broken torsion spring or a door that isn’t opening at all require professional assistance rather than DIY fixes, which could lead to more costly repairs or even severe injuries.
