Your garage door is the main entry point for your home and helps protect vehicles, personal belongings, tools, and more. With this in mind, do you know how often you should service your garage door?
Inspecting your garage door at least twice a year can prolong the life of your investment. Looking and listening for garage door warning signs is the key to ensuring your system will serve you year-round.
Before winter and spring, have a garage door professional perform these preventive maintenance services.
(Disclaimer): Madison Local Garage Door Pros does not recommend fixing a garage door without a professional garage door technician. Serious injury can occur.
Garage Door Preventive Maintenance During Spring
Depending on your location, the winter months may have taken a toll on your garage door system. It’s essential to monitor your setup for imperfections that can result in garage door failure or downtime. Take these garage door preventive measures when spring arrives:
1. Test the Balance of Your Garage Door
An off-balance garage door is a danger to you and your family. Technicians can gauge the strength of your current configuration by disconnecting your automatic opener and applying force by hand. A professional will open the garage door about 3 feet off the ground, and see if your assembly stays put.
If the door slowly falls, your springs require replacement. Keep in mind that torsion and extension springs handle incredible amounts of tension, so this service should only be performed by an experienced technician.
2. Assess High-Tension Cables
Cables run across your garage door system for extra support. In the event that a spring breaks, tension cables act as a safety net to prevent potential injury. After winter, make sure the high-tension cables are still in working order. You should not attempt to change out cables yourself, but you can look for frays and signs of deterioration.
3. Clean Surfaces, Tracks, and Rollers
Cleaning your garage door helps keep dirt, grime, and debris out of tracks and rollers. Talk to a professional about the best methods for washing surfaces, as well as removing rust and paint chips.
How to Maintain a Garage Door Before Winter
Winter brings inclement weather, intense winds, and freezing temperatures. At the end of fall, have a technician inspect your garage door and prepare your system for the colder months. Take the following steps to service your garage door before the first snow:
1. Replace Exterior Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping usually consists of rubber or plastic materials. Take a look around the outside of your garage door to evaluate the condition of the weatherstripping. The garage door seals should be free from cracks, splits, and noticeable damage. Consider installing new weatherstripping to block out sleet, hail, and runoff.
2. Lubricate Moving Parts
Garage door systems include torsion springs, extension springs, pulleys, and cables.
Many times, a professional can correct noisy assemblies by applying solutions such as WD-40 3-IN-ONE Professional Garage Door Lubricant, silicone sprays, and white lithium grease to connections. Your garage door relies on lubrication for smooth operation, so this process can add years to your garage door’s lifespan.
3. Tighten Garage Door Hardware
When was the last time you looked at your garage door hardware? Loose connections can cause your setup to malfunction during the colder months. If you notice excessive rattling or vibration, call a local technician to secure rollers and structural parts.
Why Is Preventive Garage Door Maintenance Important?
Some households open and close the garage door hundreds of times throughout the year. That’s why it’s important to schedule service appointments before major changes in the forecast. Waiting for a complete system shutdown can result in costly repairs, so always stay on top of maintenance appointments.
Most preventive steps can be completed in just minutes. For best results, contact a local expert to keep your garage door in pristine condition.
Contact Us for Garage Door Tune-Up Services in Madison, Wi
Looking for preventive garage door maintenance services in Madison, WI, and the surrounding area?
Contact Madison Local Garage Door Pros. Our technicians are happy to assist with residential spring repairs, installations, and more.
Our team has over 10 years of experience and can make sure your garage door stays up and running for years to come. To schedule garage door tune-up services, give us a call at (608) 515-1449, or contact us online to request service today!