The garage door is the largest moving object in your home. Not only does it provide security to your belongings, but it also adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of your home. However, it is also an often-overlooked part of your home’s maintenance. To ensure that your garage door continues to function smoothly, it is essential to keep up with regular maintenance. This article will walk you through five easy tips that will keep your garage door working smoothly for years to come.

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Lubricate all Moving Parts

The garage door has a lot of moving parts and these need to be lubricated every 6 months to a year. You can use a silicone-based lubricant or a light household oil such as WD-40 for this purpose. Make sure to remove any debris and buildup around the tracks before applying the lubricant. This will help to keep everything running smoothly as it reduces friction within the components.

Check and Tighten Hardware

Your garage door has a lot of hardware, such as nuts, bolts, and screws that hold it together. Over time these can become loose so it’s important to check them regularly. While checking the hardware make sure you also inspect the door’s rollers and hinges. Tightening all the loose points will help to ensure the door is not only operating smoothly but also in a safe manner.

Inspect and Replace Weatherstripping

The weatherstripping is the adhesive strip located at the bottom of the door. It helps to keep the elements outside and the warmth inside your garage. Over time, weatherstripping can crack, warp or break. This will reduce the insulation of your home and create an entry point for pests and cool drafts. You can inspect the weatherstripping by opening the door and looking at the bottom. If you notice signs of damage, it’s time to replace it.

Clean and Inspect the Tracks

The tracks of the garage door are responsible for guiding the door as it opens and closes. Dirt, debris, and buildup can accumulate on these tracks, causing the rollers to malfunction or even become jammed in one position. It’s important to keep these tracks clean and free of any debris, no matter how small. You can clean the tracks with a damp cloth and then dry them completely.

Test the Balance of the Door

A garage door that is not balanced can be very dangerous. Opening and closing the door frequently, or not maintaining the door correctly, can cause it to lose its balance. To test the balance of your garage door, pull the emergency release cord, and try to manually open the garage door. If the door is too heavy to lift, it is likely out of balance. In such cases, it is important to call a garage door repair expert to adjust it to ensure it is functioning safely.

Regular garage door maintenance is essential to keep it working smoothly and prolong its lifespan. Remember, a well-maintained garage door will add to the curb appeal of your home, increase your home’s security, and offer smooth, safe operation for years to come.

Also, read: How to Fix Common Garage Door Repair Problems at Home