Important Tips for Garage Door Maintenance
For your garage door to perform smoothly and safely, maintenance is necessary. Maintaining your garage door on a regular basis helps you prevent expensive garage door repairs in addition to extending its lifespan. Plus, you can keep your house secure by simply doing periodic inspections and taking care of small problems early. A little work goes a long way toward maintaining the best possible condition for your garage door, whether it’s testing the door balance or checking the safety features.
Step 1: Test Door Balance
If your door is noisy, crooked, slow, or stuck, it may be unbalanced. First, close the door and disconnect the carriage by pulling the release handle. Lift the door manually; if it stays halfway open, it’s balanced. If not, call a technician. Reconnect the carriage afterward.
Step 2: Safety Contact Reversal Test
This feature prevents the door from closing on obstructions. Place a 2-by-4 board in the door’s path and close it. If the door doesn’t reverse upon contact, adjust the downforce control limit as per the manual. Repeat the test until it works correctly.
Step 3: Photo Eye Sensor Test
Photoelectric sensors detect obstructions without contact. Make sure the sensors are aligned by looking for indicator lights. Close the door and wave an object through the beam. If the door does not reverse, clean the sensors and test again. If problems persist, contact a professional.
Step 4: Check Hardware
Inspect hinges and tracks for wear. Lubricate hinges with garage door lube and tighten all hardware. Clean tracks with a brake or carburetor cleaner—avoid lubricants, as they can cause imbalance.
Step 5: Replace Batteries and Lightbulbs
Prevent malfunctions by replacing batteries and lightbulbs before they fail. Test the opener’s backup battery by unplugging it and using the remote. Replace it if needed. Also, replace the opener’s battery and lightbulbs with manufacturer-recommended types.
Step 6: Adjust Chain/Belt Tension
If the chain or belt sags, open the door halfway, disengage the carriage, and manually close the door. Loosen the turnbuckle nuts, rotate it counter-clockwise to remove slack, and tighten the nuts. Ensure the chain/belt is 1/4 inch from the rail bottom.
Step 7: Clean the Garage Door
Clean the door annually (more often in salt-air climates) to maintain its appearance and integrity. Use a soft sponge or cloth with a suitable cleaner, then rinse thoroughly. For wood doors, dry them and repaint or stain as needed.
Final Thoughts:
Our specialty at Seamless Systems is maintaining the smooth and effective operation of your garage door. Many problems may be avoided with routine maintenance, but some jobs are better left to the experts. Our staff is here to help if you want professional assistance or wish to make sure your garage door is in good condition. Make an appointment with us right now to have piece of mind!
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