Garage doors are one of the most used and abused parts of your home. You should know that a garage door opens and closes at least 1,500 times a year. Heavy use like that can break down any mechanism over the years.
If that kind of wear and tear is left unchecked, it can get dangerous. Imagine high-tension wires snapping at you or heavy doors slamming shut when they should open. To prevent that, have an inspection at least twice a year. The plus side is that a well-maintained garage door can last for decades.
1. Inspect for Damage
The first thing that you need to assess is whether there is any extensive damage. There’s no point in going through preventive maintenance if your garage doors are already beyond repair.
The high-tension cable system can be deadly. If a wire snaps, it whips so hard that it can hurt you. If the cables look worn and you see any wire hanging loose, it’s best to hire the pros.
You can get this sorted out by consulting experts about your garage doors in Cairns. They can also replace and repair all of your garage door’s features. These include your cable system, motor, doors, rollers, springs, and even your remote control. If your remote control is an older model, it might be time for a replacement for added security.
2. Clean and Lubricate
Now if your cable system looks okay, and your doors are fine, it’s time to do some essential maintenance. Clean the tracks, rollers, and pulley systems. Clear any debris that might be caught in the door tracks. Dirt or debris around your garage doors can trap moisture, which attracts pests and leads to rust.
Lubricate your door opener’s screw or chain with white lithium grease, but note that not all screw openers require lubrication. For the torsion springs above the roller trackers, use WD-40 and don’t wipe off the excess. For steel doors with rust spots, you can sand them off, prime the steel, and then finish with a fresh coat of paint or two.
3. Tighten and Test
Garage doors move a lot, so your hardware can loosen over time. With a wrench set handy, tighten your roller brackets and the bolts that hold the rails up. Once your doors are clean, lubricated, and tightened, it’s time to run tests on the door balance and the auto-reverse feature.
Test your door’s balance by disconnecting the opener and pulling the release handle. After that, try pulling your door up. If it doesn’t stay put when you let go, that means the counterweight system is off balance. In this case, you need to get a pro to sort this for you.
Test your garage door’s auto-reverse feature. Do this the safe way by placing a flat object on the ground. Once the door hits the object, it should go back up. Also, test your door’s photoelectric system by passing your leg underneath a closing door. It should reverse its direction and go back up.
If your garage doors don’t have this feature, consider getting it replaced. It’s essential to keep your garage doors updated for security. You can do most of the tune-up yourself, but some things are best left to the pros. With proper maintenance, your garage door system should last for years without significant repairs. Remember that safety comes first, so always wear appropriate protective gear.
