The most frequently used systems around your home, garage doors endure substantial wear and tear daily. Hundreds of open/close cycles annually mean components need proactive upkeep optimizing smooth functionality and lifespan. A proper lubrication and maintenance regimen prevents untimely breakdowns while saving households costly repairs too. The first preventative measure comes free – your eyes. Check garage doors twice annually or more for developing issues like sagging panels, cracked glass, weathering wear, and hardware security. Open and close doors fully testing for smooth operation too. Catching problems early better prevents compounding repairs later.
Check lubrication needs
Well-lubricated moving joints, rollers, and garage door tracks should open / close silently and smoothly. Squeaking or grinding sounds signal depleted lubricant letting metal grind on metal. Based on usage frequency, doors need fresh lubricant every 4 – 6 months. Spray liquid varieties like automotive door lubricant into roller endcaps and side hinges. Powdered graphite lubricants work for tracks. Open and close doors spreading coverage evenly afterwards.
Inspect weatherstripping
Foam weatherstripping liners compressed along the top, side, and bottom garage door edges keep air and moisture infiltration minimal during operation. But, constant opening cycles eventually deteriorate seals leading to visible light gaps. Check for complete compression contact along thresholds. Replace any loose, gaps, or ripped weatherstripping immediately using adhesive foam strips widely available.
Test auto-reverse safety sensors
Automatic garage doors feature electronic eyes projecting invisible light beams across openings detecting obstructions upon interruption. Wall-mounted pairs work in sync to reverse door closure if alignment breaks. But, frequent blowing debris, damage, or falls out of alignment throws off sensitivity sometimes. Test functionality monthly by blocking sensors with objects ensuring auto-reverse kicks on. Realign or replace sensors accordingly.
Check & tighten locks
No matter the garage door’s primary opening mechanism, lever-style side locks add supplemental security when manually engaged from forced entry. But, weathered exposure and vibration loosen screws securing housing and latching plates to frames over several years. Attempted intrusions also bend and damage lock components if engaged forcibly. Failing to routinely check and fasten locks tightly undermines a vital manual security barrier protecting household contents.
Test emergency release
While automatic functionality stays the norm for households, all electric oakville garage door repair openers feature emergency release cords enabling manual access if power fails. It frees up the door again allowing manual raising just enough for vehicle or person passage if needed during electrical service interruption. Make sure cords release properly without dysfunctional sticking or tangled components.
Check extension spring cables
Torsion-style extensions exert incredible downward force lifting doors open and then controlling retraction when closing. Cables and fittings securing springs to doors endure enormous strain before fraying from friction over the years. Inspect cables’ entire visible length monthly looking for any loose windings, oxidizing corrosion, kinks, or tears developing, and replace cables immediately showing such acute damage. Preventive spring system maintenance drastically cuts injury risks as hardware wears. Identify the key lubrication points and inspection zones needing periodic tune-ups. Keep garage doors feeling as smooth as new for prolonged safeguarding access to your most valuable asset your home.
