Seasonal Garage Door Maintenance
To ensure smooth and safe operation of your overhead door, seasonal garage door maintenance is required. Overhead garage doors are largest moving objects on your home. Regardless of the size or type of garage door opener you have, all require care and attention. Preventative maintenance can be done by the homeowner to prevent breakdowns or malfunctions in garage doors. These tasks are neither time consuming nor difficult to do. Use these seasonal maintenance tips throughout the year to keep your overhead door system running quietly and efficiently.
Lubricate Noisy Garage Doors
Proper garage door lubrication will help your garage door operate quietly and efficiently. Lubricating your overhead door with WD-40 isn’t necessary recommended as it will attract dirt and debris. Always use a professional grade silicone based garage door spray. Lubricate the all metal moving parts , especially the hinges and rollers. Avoid spraying the garage door track system and chain on for your automatic opener. Never lubricate your overhead door system with axle grease or motorcycle chain lube. These types of lubricates attract dirt and will dry out and harden during cold periods of the year, binding up your overhead door system. The garage door opener rail and chain require lubrication in moderation. Excess use of lubricants on these parts can be costly. Lubricant can drip onto the top of your vehicle, baking in the hot sun for long periods of time and ruining your paint job. It can also drip down the face of the garage door, leaving behind a dark line on your door.
Replace Worn Out Garage Door Seal
Winter is the worst time of the year for garage door operation. Snow and ice build up where your garage door meets the floor, freezing the bottom weather seal. To prevent cold air and excess moisture from entering your garage make sure your perimeter seals are in working condition. Garage door seal is found on the bottom of the door, the jambs and header. The seal at the bottom of your door is installed on an aluminum retainer while the side and top seals are secured with trim nails. If you notice ice around the bottom of your garage door do not run your automatic opener. Clear away snow from the opening and consider the use of rock salts to keep your door from freezing shut. Bottom seals can be found in our parts store while the side vinyl door seal can be found are your local hardware store or door dealer. Keeping your weather seals in good condition will reduce your energy bills and keep your garage comfortable in winter time. Even unheated , attached garages benefit from proper weatherseal installation.
Replace Worn Out Hinges & Rollers
Inspect your garage door for worn out parts seasonally. Hinges and rollers are two parts on your overhead door system that should be monitored for wear. Each of these parts can be easily repaired cheaply and quickly. Always use heavy duty commercial grade hinges and rollers during repair. Hinges are made in varying thicknesses of steel, 18-gauge , 16-gauge, 14-gauge and 11-gauge. Always use a heavy duty grade hinge of 14-gauge or 11-gauge steel. Rollers usually last about 10,000 cycles or 10 years in time. Check for worn out rollers that are cracked or not spinning properly. Roller replacement can help eliminate excessive noise during operation. Never attempt to replace the bottom brackets or rollers on your door without first removing the tension on your torsion springs. If you need to replace the bottom fixtures on your door it may be best to consult a certified garage door service technician.
Check Torsion Spring Balance
The most common reason for your garage door opener to malfunction is unbalanced torsion springs. The opener is only a means to get the process or opening and closing your door started. The torsion or extension springs do the heavy lifting – 90% or more. If your garage door springs are calibrated or installed incorrectly, the garage door opener will overwork itself and burn out the gears. Adjusting the tension on your springs may be necessary to get your garage door balanced. To check spring balance you will need to pull the red emergency release cord on your opener after lowering your garage door to the floor. This disconnects the trolley assembly from the operator rail. Manually raise the garage door to waist level. The door should sit in this position on its own after you release it. If the door drifts to the floor or goes up on its own, the spring tension will need adjustment. If you don’t feel comfortable adjusting the springs yourself, consult a certified door technician.
