4 Easy Preventative Maintenance Tasks to Avoid Garage Door Repair

Regular preventative maintenance is essential to ensure that your garage door functions properly and continues to do so for years to come. To avoid the hassle of needing to call a professional for garage door repair, it’s important to perform simple maintenance tasks regularly. In this blog post, we’ll go over four easy preventative maintenance tasks to help you avoid the need for costly garage door repair services in the future.
 
1) Inspect and Tighten Hardware
One of the easiest preventative maintenance tasks that you can do to avoid needing garage door repair is to inspect and tighten all of the hardware on your garage door. Over time, the hardware on your garage door can loosen or become worn out, which can cause a variety of problems such as the door coming off its tracks or making loud noises when opening and closing. To perform this task, simply visually inspect all of the hardware on your garage door, including the hinges, rollers, springs, and cables. Look for any signs of wear and tear, such as rust or frayed cables. Then, using a socket wrench, tighten any loose bolts or screws that you find. By performing this simple task regularly, you can prevent small issues from turning into larger ones that require costly garage door repair services.
 
2) Lubricate Moving Parts
Lubricating your garage door's moving parts is another easy and essential preventative maintenance task that can help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Moving parts such as rollers, hinges, and springs need to be lubricated regularly to keep them running smoothly and reduce wear and tear. Before lubricating, be sure to clean the parts thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Then, apply a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers, hinges, and springs. Avoid using oil-based lubricants, as they can attract dust and dirt and cause further damage.

By lubricating your garage door's moving parts, you can reduce friction and noise and prolong the lifespan of your door. This is especially important for older garage doors, as they may require more frequent lubrication. Make sure to include lubricating your garage door's moving parts as part of your regular preventative maintenance routine. Doing so can save you time, money, and hassle in the long run.
 
3) Check and Replace Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a vital component of any garage door. It is responsible for sealing the gaps between the garage door and the frame, ensuring that cold air, rain, and debris don't find their way inside your garage. However, weatherstripping can wear out over time, and when this happens, your garage is no longer adequately protected. To check your weatherstripping, visually inspect the seals around the door. Look for any cracks, tears, or gaps that may have developed. If you notice any of these issues, it's time to replace the weatherstripping. Thankfully, replacing weatherstripping is a relatively easy task that can be done by most homeowners. Start by purchasing a replacement weatherstripping kit. You can find these kits at your local hardware store or online. Next, remove the old weatherstripping from your garage door. Depending on the type of weatherstripping you have, this may involve peeling it off or removing screws that hold it in place. Once you've removed the old weatherstripping, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water. Allow it to dry completely.

Then, follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the new weatherstripping. Generally, this involves sticking it in place with adhesive or screwing it into the door frame. Be sure to pay close attention to the corners and any other areas where gaps may occur. Replacing weatherstripping is a simple task that can make a big difference in the performance of your garage door. By taking care of this essential maintenance item, you can keep your garage protected from the elements and avoid costly repairs down the line.
 
4) Test and Adjust Garage Door Opener Settings
The garage door opener is an essential component of your garage door system, allowing you to open and close your garage door with the touch of a button. Over time, the settings on your garage door opener can become misaligned or worn out, which can lead to problems with the operation of your garage door. Fortunately, there are several preventative maintenance tasks that you can perform to ensure that your garage door opener continues to operate smoothly and reliably.

The first step in testing and adjusting your garage door opener settings is to check the alignment of the safety sensors. Safety sensors are located near the bottom of your garage door tracks, and they are designed to prevent your garage door from closing if an object is detected in the path of the door. To test the alignment of the sensors, place a small object (such as a tennis ball) in the path of the door, and then attempt to close the door. If the door fails to close or immediately reverses direction, this is a sign that the sensors are misaligned. To adjust the sensors, simply move them slightly until they are lined up properly. Another important setting to check on your garage door opener is the force and travel limit settings. These settings control the amount of force that the opener uses to lift and lower the door, as well as the distance that the door travels during each cycle. If these settings are too high or too low, it can cause damage to your garage door or opener, and may even result in the door failing to open or close properly. To adjust these settings, consult the owner's manual for your garage door opener or contact a professional for assistance.

Finally, it's important to check the battery on your garage door opener remote periodically, and replace it as needed. A weak or dead battery can prevent the opener from working properly, and may even cause damage to the internal components of the device. To replace the battery, simply open the back of the remote and insert a fresh battery. By taking the time to test and adjust your garage door opener settings on a regular basis, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure that your garage door operates smoothly and safely. If you are unsure how to perform any of these maintenance tasks, or if you notice any problems with your garage door opener, don't hesitate to contact a professional for assistance.