Fixing Up a Rental PropertyFixing Up a Rental Property

Although you might often overlook it, your garage is one of the most functional components of your home. To put this in perspective, just think to yourself how much of an inconvenience it would be if your garage door stopped working. The better you take care of your door, the less likely it is for this issue to occur. Here are just some of the things you can do to keep your garage door functioning properly.  

Perform Inspections

Make it a common practice to perform regular inspections of your door system. This step is critically important for areas like the extension and torsion springs. Both of these springs are responsible for both securing the door and helping it move safely along the track. When inspecting the springs, you want to look for signs of rust or corrosion, as each is often an indication of deterioration. At the first sign of a problem have the springs replaced.

Clean The Door

Clean the door, periodically. This is a very important step if you have a wooden garage door. Minerals from rain water, organic matter and elements like snow can all damage the surface of the wood, particularly if they are allowed to remain on the surface for an extended period. With most doors, you can use a mild cleaner and a soft sponge to clean the door. You can then follow this up with a rinse with a regular water hose, not a pressure washer.

Lubricate Moving Parts

It's also a great idea to lubricate all the moving parts of the door. Lubrication helps ensure all these parts are able to move more smoothly, by reducing friction. Friction is an issue because it can increase the level of pressure on the door unit, which often leads to more rapid malfunctions. Ensure you are only using a lubricant that has been approved for your door system.

Perform Balance Tests

Ensure the door is balanced correctly. A door that is unbalanced has an increased risk of falling off the track, causing it to come crashing down on your vehicle or even worse, someone in the garage. To perform this test, disable the power function and open the door. While keeping your hands on the door, step your body backward so that you aren't in the door's path. Let the door go and step back again. If the door stays open, it's balanced. If the door closes, it's not balanced.

Remember, the greater your effort to maintain the door, the longer it will last and the better it will operate. Ensure you're doing your part.