Using the change in seasons as an indicator to do garage door inspection helps keep you on track and your garage door working as it should.
Here are the eight steps to take for your twice-yearly seasonal spring garage door inspection.
Watch and Listen
When your garage door works properly, it should be quiet and smooth as it moves up and down. Good indicators that something is wrong with the garage door springs are bumpy movements and scraping sounds. If you hear or see anything out of the ordinary, it could be a problem with the cables, pulleys, or springs. It might be time for a garage door inspection.
Tighten Up
With constant use, your garage door’s vibration may loosen the hardware. This could be the cause of any noise you noticed in the first step. You can use a socket wrench to tighten up the door and track hardware, so the garage door operates smoothly.
Check the Seals
Close the garage door while you’re inside. Are there any gaps between the floor and the rubber seals at the bottom of the door? If you can see the light, that means air, debris, and water can come inside.
Rather than take the DIY approach, the experts at Door Tech can help you get your garage door tightly sealed again.
Don’t Forget About the Rollers
The rollers move the garage door up and down in the track. They have a life expectancy of up to seven years, depending on use and wear and tear. If the rollers are chipped, cracked, or generally worn, it’s time to replace them. Most are simple to replace, which requires removing the brackets keeping them in the door track. If you’re not sure, have Door Tech come out to assess the rollers and replace them if needed.
Give the Garage Door a Once-Over
While you’re still inside with the door closed, take a look at the garage door itself since you’ve already examined the cables, springs, and pulleys. Steel doors can rust over time, especially in Maryland’s wet weather. Wood doors are also vulnerable to water damage, which can affect your security and garage door performance.
Lubricate Moving Parts
You must lubricate your hinges, rollers, and springs regularly to keep your garage door functioning quietly and smoothly. Lubricating these parts with silicone spray or other approved products can prolong your garage door’s life, along with the parts that keep it going. Be sure to clean up any drips to avoid staining your garage floor or causing a slipping hazard.
Check the Tracks
If you keep your garage door open, chances are there is dirt or debris inside. If not removed, the rollers won’t move freely, which can prevent the door from opening and closing. Remove any large debris and use a soapy rag to wipe down the tracks to remove the rest. Once completely dry, lubricate the length of the track.
Test the Balance of Your Garage Door
One way to make your garage door opener work harder and reduce its life cycle is to have an unbalanced garage door. A properly balanced garage door only needs a few pounds of force to lift it, which the average adult can do easily.
Pull the release handle of your automatic opener and manually lift the door to the halfway point. Move out of the way and release the door. If it doesn’t stay in place, it’s not balanced, or the springs are worn out. The professionals at Door Tech can assist you from here.
Hiring the Professionals for your Seasonal Garage Door Inspection
Whether you want a professional to perform your seasonal inspection or you’ve found a problem you aren’t sure how to fix, the pros at Door Tech in Gambrills, Maryland, are ready for your call. Contact us for a free estimate on your garage door maintenance today.