Regular Cleaning

Over time, dirt, debris, and weather elements can accumulate on your garage door. This can cause damage and discoloration, affect your door’s efficiency, erode its finish, and potentially obscure visibility. Cleaning your garage door is a simple but vital task that can help keep things moving smoothly and preserve your curb appeal. Here are some handy tips:

• Use a mild soap and water solution to gently wash debris off the surface of the door.
• Pay attention to the windows, if your door has them, to make sure that they are clear.
• If you have a metal garage door, use a non-abrasive cleaner instead of harsh chemicals that could damage the finish. Avoid using a pressure washer, as this can strip your door’s protective finish.
• Carefully wipe down the door’s track, weatherstripping, and hardware to remove dirt and grime.
• Consider applying a layer of wax for added protection.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Your garage door has many moving parts, including springs, rollers, tracks, and hinges. These parts are subject to friction whenever the door is in use; this can cause issues over time without occasional maintenance. Regularly lubricating the appropriate parts helps them move smoothly, prevents wear, and reduces noise.

What to Lubricate:

• Springs: Use a high-quality lubricant specifically designed for garage door springs. Apply a thin layer to both torsion springs or extension springs (depending on your door type).
• Rollers and Hinges: Spray a silicone-based lubricant on the rollers and hinges to keep them moving freely. Avoid using WD-40, as it can dry out parts quickly. 
• Track: Wipe down the track and apply a small amount of oil or grease if needed (avoid adding too much, as this can attract dirt).

If you don’t feel comfortable lubricating your garage door components yourself, an experienced professional can do it for you. 

Check the Door’s Balance

A well-balanced garage door is essential to keep it running smoothly and preventing strain on the opener. If your door is unbalanced, it can cause the motor to overwork and puts excessive strain on the springs, which can eventually cause the door to break. To avoid emergency garage door repairs, check your door periodically to make sure it’s balanced.

How to Check the Balance:

• Remove all children and pets from the area.
• Disconnect the garage door opener by pulling the release cord.
• Manually move the door up and down to check how well it opens and closes. A well-balanced garage door will move smoothly.
• Manually raise the door halfway, then let go of it. If the door stays in place, it’s properly balanced. If it falls or rises, the springs may need to be adjusted.
• Open the door all the way. The door should remain completely open and stay in place after you lift it. 

Once you’re done, reconnect your garage door to the automatic opener by following the manufacturer directions for your particular model. If the door isn’t balanced, it's best to call a professional to adjust the springs, as they are under significant tension and can be dangerous to handle without the proper equipment or experience. 

Check and Replace Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping on your garage door plays a crucial role in protecting your garage door from potential contaminants, such as rain, wind, snow, ice, and pests. Over time, weatherstripping can crack or wear down; replacing it promptly can make a big difference.

How to Inspect and Replace:

• Examine the weatherstripping at the bottom of the door for any tears, breaks, or signs of wear.
• If it’s damaged, remove the old strip and replace it with a new one. You can find weatherstripping at most home improvement stores, or reach out to a professional garage door contractor to complete the work for you.
  

Inspect the Door’s Components

The hardware, cables, and springs of your garage door are crucial to keep it working properly. If they break or malfunction, it can seriously damage the door and poses a critical safety threat. Knowing the signs of a problem can help you take quick action.

What to Look For:

• Visually inspect the cables for any signs of fraying or wear.
• Look at the springs to check for signs of rust or damage.
• Run the garage door and check to see whether any of the hardware appears loose.
• If you notice any issues with these components, do not attempt to fix them yourself, as the springs are under high tension and are incredibly dangerous to handle without the proper knowledge and experience. Always call a professional garage door technician.
  

Test the Safety Features

Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features such as sensors that detect obstacles in the door’s path. It’s important to test these regularly to make sure that they’re working properly.

How to Test:

• Remove any children or pets from the area and open your garage door.
• Place an object (such as a roll of paper towels) in the door’s path and close it. The door should reverse immediately when it detects the object.
• If the door doesn’t reverse, clean the sensors and try again. If the door continues to work, it is time to call a technician to inspect the system. 

Act quickly if you detect a problem, as safety features are critical to any garage door. 

Is the Opener Working Properly?

Your garage door opener is another essential component that needs regular attention. Test the opener’s functionality periodically to make sure that it operates smoothly and responds to the remote or wall switch.

Opener Maintenance Tips:

• Clean the opener’s sensors to remove dust or dirt.
• Inspect the opener’s drive chain or belt for any signs of wear.
• Make sure the opener is lubricated to avoid squeaking or strain on the motor.
  

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While many maintenance tasks can be done on your own, it’s a good idea to have a professional technician inspect your garage door and opener on a regular basis. A knowledgeable and experienced professional can identify problems that may not be immediately visible, such as issues with the springs or track alignment. It’s also safer to trust a professional, as they have the proper equipment and training to handle the job without risk. If your garage door is under warranty, working with a technician ensures that your warranty remains intact. 

Regular care and maintenance can keep your system running smoothly and save you from having to worry about emergency garage door repairs. By performing tasks a few times a year, you can extend the lifespan of your garage door and opener, keeping them running safely and efficiently for years to come. If you notice any problems or feel uncomfortable performing certain maintenance tasks, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. The team at Casella Garage Doors helps homeowners in the greater Trumbull, CT region, including Greenwich, Stamford, Danbury, Norwalk, Fairfield, and even the Mt. Kisco, NY area. Whether you need routine maintenance or you suspect that you need garage door repairs, we can help. Get in touch with us today to learn more or schedule an appointment!