DIY Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Look and Listen:

• An essential step you can take is to observe your garage door in action every time you use it. Does it operate silently, or does it make grinding or scraping noises?

Tighten up the Hardware:

• Examine and tighten all roller brackets and bolts with a socket wrench.

Door Balance:

• Periodically test the balance of your door.
• Begin with the door closed.
• If you have a garage door opener, use the release mechanism so you can operate the door by hand when doing this test.
• You should be able to lift the door smoothly, with little resistance. It should also stay open around three or four feet above the floor. If it does not, it is out of adjustment. Have it adjusted by a qualified service professional!

Reversal Test:

• Make sure your opener has a reversing feature. If a reversing feature is not present, replace the opener.
• Garage door openers manufactured after January 1, 1993, are required by federal law to have safety features that comply with the latest UL (Underwriters Laboratories) 325 standards. Contact your manufacturer or installer for additional information.

Inspect and Replace the Rollers:

• The rollers, whether steel or nylon, need to be checked twice a year and replaced every seven years or so, and even more if you use your garage door many times a day.
• A worn-out chipped, or cracked rollers need replacing as soon as possible. You do this by removing and reinstalling any roller brackets that are not directly attached to the cable system.

Replace the Weatherstripping:

• Check the weather sealant at the bottom of the door. If it is cracked or broken, it needs replacing.
• Lubricate the Moving Parts:
• Lubricate all moving parts and coat torsion springs with regular grade machine oil.

Check the Cables:

• Check for broken strands and damage near the bottom roller bracket.
• Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Features:
• There are two mechanisms: mechanical and photocell.
• To test the mechanical feature, place an object on the ground in the path of the door. When the door is coming down touches that object, it should reverse direction and go back up again.
• To test the photoelectric system with beams at each side, close your door and pass your leg in the door’s path. Your door should reverse.
• If your opener lacks these essential safety features; it’s time to buy a new garage door opener.

Clear the Tracks:

• Clean the inside of the tracks with an old toothbrush to dislodge any buildup of grease, grime or dirt. Spray disc brake cleaner into the tracks and then wipe out with a clean rag to remove the debris.
• Only a professional Garage Door Technician should make any significant adjustments to the garage door tracks.

Groom Your Garage Door:

• Don’t forget to examine the door itself. Wood doors will need to check for water damage and warp, as well as chipped and peeling paint. Steel doors may have rust spots that may require sanding, priming, and painting.  Rust is a significant enemy for any garage door. Yearly maintenance can help keep it away.

Periodic Cleaning:

• Use a mild detergent to wash your door; do not use abrasive cleansers. Check for scratches that need repairing. Treat with zinc-based primer,  if the bare metal is exposed. Avoid excessive touch-up; post-applied painting will not match the original factory finish.
• You rely on your garage door to operate smoothly and efficiently day in and day out. A system failure can be a significant inconvenience as it can result in property damage or personal injury. We provide expert Garage Door Maintenance and Repair Service in the Albuquerque Region at affordable prices.

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