How to Maintain Your Garage Door and Make It Last Longer
How to Maintain Your Garage Door and Make It Last Longer
A quality garage door, properly maintained, should last well over a decade without any major issues. The good news is that most of the maintenance involved is straightforward and takes less than an hour a year. Here’s what you should be doing — and when — to keep your garage door in the best possible condition.
Visual Inspection — Every Few Months
Get into the habit of giving your garage door a quick visual check every few months. Look for rust or corrosion on any metal components, particularly around the bottom of steel door panels, the tracks and the spring housing — catching rust early means you can treat it before it spreads. Check for cracks or warping in timber or GRP panels, particularly after a very cold winter or a hot dry summer. Inspect the weatherseal along the bottom and sides of the door — if it’s cracked, flattened or pulling away, it needs replacing, which is an inexpensive fix that makes a noticeable difference to warmth and security. If you notice any rust on the springs, gaps in the spring coils, or fraying on the cables, call a professional rather than attempting to adjust them yourself.
Lubrication — Once or Twice a Year
The moving parts of your garage door — hinges, rollers, tracks and the spring mechanism — benefit from lubrication once or twice a year. Use a silicone-based spray or a dedicated garage door lubricant rather than WD-40, which is a water displacer rather than a true lubricant and evaporates quickly. Apply lubricant to the hinges, rollers, the inside of the tracks and the spring coils, then wipe away any excess with a cloth. For automated doors, also apply a small amount to the drive chain or screw depending on the type of opener. Avoid getting lubricant on the rubber weatherseal as it can cause it to deteriorate.
Test the Balance — Once a Year
If your door is automated, disconnect the opener and try lifting the door manually to about waist height, then let go. A properly balanced door should stay roughly in place. If it drops quickly or shoots upward, the springs are out of balance and need adjusting by a professional. An unbalanced door puts significant extra strain on the motor, shortening its lifespan considerably.
Test the Safety Features — Once a Year
All modern automatic garage doors are fitted with auto-reverse safety features. Test yours by placing a piece of wood flat on the floor in the path of the closing door — when the door makes contact with it, it should reverse immediately. If it doesn’t, the sensitivity needs adjusting. Many openers also have photoelectric sensors near the floor — check these are clean and correctly aligned.
Clean the Door Panels — As Needed
Wash the door panels with warm soapy water and a soft cloth a couple of times a year to prevent grime, road salt and bird droppings from causing corrosion or staining. For steel doors, check for any chips in the paint or powder coating and touch these up promptly to prevent rust from taking hold.
Annual Professional Service
Even with good DIY maintenance, an annual professional service is worthwhile for any garage door — particularly if it’s automated. A trained engineer will check spring tension, cable condition, motor operation, safety functions and all the small components that are easy to overlook. The cost of a service is minimal compared to an emergency repair or full replacement. A1 Garage Doors offers professional garage door servicing across Chesterfield, Sheffield, Nottingham and Derbyshire. To book an annual service or discuss any concerns about your door, call us on 01246 450938 or get in touch online.
