How to Do Your Own Garage Door Maintenance Check

Can you imagine driving your car every day, and only getting the oil changed, or important safety features like the brakes, checked only every couple of years? No, of course not! A car has many moving mechanical parts that need regular upkeep to ensure they function properly. Well, so does a garage door, yet homeowners don’t always pay them as much attention. Your door can function well for many years if you take good care of it. If you’re not already doing it, you should diarize a major annual maintenance check. Approaching a garage door company in your city or neighborhood to do this service is highly recommended because they’ll do a thorough job. But if you’re the hands-on type, there are a few checks you can do for yourself. Just a word of caution not to work on broken extension springs, and the same can be said for tension springs. This should strictly be handled by a professional. Also make sure the opener has been unplugged.

Start By Checking the Hardware

A garage door may go through multiple opening and closing cycles every day. Multiply that by 365 days and you’ll realize that the hardware holding it together works really hard. Over time some parts will wear out. Your yearly tune-up can identify any potential hardware problems before major damage occurs. So, go ahead and check that roller brackets haven’t come loose, and that bearings and hinges are still in good condition. Tighten any loose nuts and bolts.The lift cable can also become frayed, so check this for loose strands. It’s possible to buy replacement parts from a hardware store, but make sure you’re getting the right ones. Alternatively, you can contact a company specializing in garage repairs, who will supply the parts and also do any replacement work that you need.

Lubricate Chains, Screws, Springs and Cables

Purchase some white lithium grease from a hardware store, preferably in spray form as it will be easier to apply uniformly. You’ll need it to lubricate the chain or screw that drives your garage door opener. Next, you should lubricate the extension or torsion springs to slow down corrosion and prevent rusting.

Lastly, Check the Door’s Balance

Your maintenance check isn’t complete until you check whether your door is properly balanced. To do this, disengage the trolley by pulling on the red handle or rope hanging from the door opener. This disconnects the door from the opener mechanism, so that you can operate it manually. Next, open and close the door, taking note that its movement is smooth and that it doesn’t come up or down too fast. It also shouldn’t feel heavy. If the door requires a lot of effort to open, becomes stuck, or rises and falls too quickly, then call in a professional repair technician from a reputable garage door company to replace broken springs, or to adjust them.

And there you have it. Your once-a-year check is done!