Maintenance Tips for Your Automatic Garage Door
Posted on: 5 October 2016
Garage doors are the largest moveable components in several homes. If you have invested in an automatic garage door, you are well aware that a good door does not come by cheaply. Therefore, it is important that you know how to care for your door. Here are a couple of useful maintenance tips you should follow to keep your garage door in good shape.
Proper track alignment
The metal track on which your door moves needs to remain clean and properly aligned to ensure smooth door operation. If there is buildup in the track, which is your door's path of travel (where the roller wheels run on), your door will get "stuck." Using a rag to clean out any debris present in the tracks will allow your door to glide gently. If the track is out of alignment, will need to have it realigned. This can be done by loosening the bolts, screws or brackets holding the track in position, gently tapping the track at the bottom using a rubber hammer, using a level to make sure the track is plumb, re-tightening track screws, and then repeating the process for any other misaligned tracks.
Proper door balance
The springs on your door are meant to counter the weight of the door so that it balances correctly. Doors that are not properly balanced cause your opener to bear extra loads, and may cause it to prematurely stop functioning. To check the balance of your door, close the door the usual way and disengage the automatic opener. Open the door halfway and cautiously let it go. Make sure you will be safe in the event of any dramatic movement. If your door stays open where you leave it, rest easy knowing it is in balance. But if it dramatically moves once you let go, it will need some adjustments.
Doors that are out of balance usually indicate problems with the springs. It could be that your springs are either weakened or broken. Weakened springs may need to be reinforced with hardware while broken springs will need to be replaced. Whatever the case, bringing your door back to balance is a job that will require the skill of a very experienced do-it-yourselfer or a professional.
Proper Lubrication
Your garage door comprises several moving components that need to be kept well-lubricated so the door can operate smoothly: the tracks, springs, rollers, locks, hinges, and opener's chain all need to be given some attention. Failure to provide the necessary lubrication will result in noisy door operation. Make sure to only use manufacturer-recommended lubricants on your door.
Professionals that specialise in providing garage door service have seen and can handle almost every issue there is regarding garage door repair. Feel free to hire them in case you need any help keeping your garage door working efficiently.
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