A functional garage door provides appeal, security and boosts energy efficiency. Some homeowners get so used to their garage doors functioning without fail that they begin to take them for granted. If you don’t provide a garage door with routine maintenance, it will start to fall apart.
A recent study found that over 52 percent of homeowners want a garage door that their neighbors envy. If this is one of your goals, then you will have to work hard. When properly cared for, your garage door will remain appealing and last a lot longer.
Are you trying to extend the life of your garage door? If so, consider the tips in this article.
1. Keep an Eye On Your Weather Stripping and Insulation
When trying to fend off harsh natural elements, your garage door will rely heavily on its weather stripping. If the weather stripping on your garage door is covered in dirt and grime, it will be unable to function properly. Avoiding issues with your weather stripping will require you to give it a good cleaning once every few months.
You also need to pinpoint weather stripping that is loose. After these sections are identified, you can use a nail or screw to tighten them up. If your garage door has insulation, you’ll need to work on keeping it in good shape. Good insulation keeps cold air at bay while increasing energy efficiency.
2. Remove Track Obstructions
Getting familiar with the various parts on your garage door is important. The metal tracks attached to your garage door perform a very specific and important function. Without functional tracks, your garage door will be unable to roll up and down. Obstructions on these tracks can wreak havoc on your garage door and cause lots of damage.
Instead of waiting until your garage door is damaged to take action, you need to inspect your tracks routinely. If any debris is discovered during this inspection, remove it immediately. You also need to lubricate the tracks once or twice a year.
3. Garage Door Balance is Important
Allowing a garage door to operate off balance can be disastrous. A garage door that is off balance will experience undue wear and strain. Checking the balance of your garage door will require you to disconnect it from the opener. If you don’t feel comfortable testing balance on your own, working with seasoned garage door repair professionals is a good move.
4. Hardware Should Be Tightened
Over time, the hardware that holds your garage door together will begin to loosen. Allowing fasteners, nuts and bolts to loosen completely can do significant damage to your garage door. The best way to avoid this damage is by tightening the hardware once every two months or so. During this maintenance, you can find small repair issues and fix them before significant damage is done.
By using the information in this article, you can extend the life of your garage door.
