CARING FOR YOUR GARAGE DOOR
Your garage door is one of those elements that can have a strong impact on your home’s curb appeal, but at the same time, it’s something most of us don’t think about until it malfunctions. The good news is that garage doors are generally made to withstand the elements that they protect against — otherwise what would be the point? This makes most garage doors delightfully resilient to the conditions they face on a daily basis. It also means that your garage door system doesn’t need a ton of help to keep working well.
LISTEN FOR ODD NOISES
One of the first signs that something is going wrong is that your garage door will start making more noise. It may be a clattering sound, or it could just be a louder amplification of the usual rolling noises that a garage door makes. Generally, odd noises or an increase in noise volume means that a couple of elements are rubbing in a way they shouldn’t, or that one (or more) of the rollers has come off the track. If you start hearing odd noises, call your local garage door installation and repair company for help, but also use it as a reminder to check over your whole system.
KEEP AN EYE OUT
The other really easy thing you can do to prolong the life of your garage door is to give it a once-over every now and then. You don’t need to meticulously check each and every hinge, roller, and spring, but it can be a great idea to just scan the whole system from top to bottom every few weeks. It’s as easy as running an eye over everything when you get home from work every pay day, or some other set day you’ll remember. Regularly giving your garage door a once-over means you’ll be more likely to pick up on it when something doesn’t look quite right.
CHECK THE ROLLERS
The tracks and wheels that keep your garage door panels in place are some of the elements that wear out fastest. They are prone to collecting dust and debris, which can cause uneven wear and tear. A couple of times a year, set aside time to check the tracks to make sure there isn’t a build-up of gunk, and check the rollers for signs of wear.
UPDATE YOUR WEATHERSTRIPPING
The rubber strip along the bottom of your garage door does a lot of the work in keeping rain, snow, and the worst of the cold outside of your garage. But it does wear down over time. Check it at least once a year — we recommend early in the fall — to look for cracking and feel for a brittle texture. If you find either of those signs, your weatherstripping isn’t going to be effective, but it’s easy to replace, and sold by the foot at most hardware stores, so it’s something you can DIY.
LUBRICATE MOVING PARTS
There are a lot of things that move to keep your garage door functioning. The rollers, hinges, and chain or screw are designed to move every day, but they will eventually start to wear down. Check with your local garage door team for questions about which lubricant is right for your system, but giving those moving parts a boost of lubricant can keep things running smoothly for longer.
Are you looking for more ways to keep your garage door system in good repair? Connect with your local garage door installation and repair team in Hampstead. Call Danibul Garage Doors today to learn more and get the help you need to help your garage doors last!
