What Maintenance Do Residential Garage Doors Need?
The following rings true for almost every element of the average home: take care of it, and it will take care of you. This applies to your garage door, too. But how do you best maintain your garage door over the years? Here are the key tasks that are important to perform.
Lubricate Moving Parts
There are a few moving parts associated with garage doors. One is the chain that drives the opener. Another is the joints between the horizontal segments of the door itself. The spring also slides along its attachments as it stretches. All of these parts should remain well-lubricated. If they aren't, there will be a lot of friction between the parts, and that will cause them to wear down and break down over time. You can lubricate these parts every few months, using an all-purpose lubricant or a lubricant made specifically for garage doors.
Tightening Bolts and Fasteners
Garage doors vibrate and shake a little as they move up and down. This is normal. It does, however, cause some of the bolts and fasteners in the garage door to loosen up over time. If these parts get too loose, a bolt or two may become unattached. So, it is a good idea to look the door over and tighten any loose bolts or connections. Do this every few months, or any time you notice that your garage door is rattling a little more than usual.
Tightening the Spring
There is a spring that holds tension as the door goes up and down. This spring tends to stretch out as time goes on. It will then need to be tightened so it can continue to hold the door up properly. This is the one element of garage door maintenance that you should not do on your own. A professional should come out and adjust the spring. Special tools are required to do so, and making a mistake with the spring could cost you your life or health. (These springs are very tight and can cause serious injuries if they happen to snap on you.) Most door springs only need to be tightened every few years.
If you do the three maintenance tasks above, your garage door should remain in good condition over the years. Don't hesitate to contact a garage door repair company if you notice that anything is strange or unusual about your door. For more information on residential garage door repair, contact a professional near you.