Your garage door is essential to your home, offering security, protection from the elements, and convenient access to your car and storage. But to keep it smooth and safe, regular maintenance is a must. Motion Garage Doors provides Garage Door Maintenance Tips with a comprehensive checklist to help you keep your garage door in top shape:
1. Visual Inspection (Monthly):
- Door Panels: Look for signs of wear and tear, dents, cracks, or warping.
- Hinges and Rollers: Check for loose screws, rust, or worn tracks where the rollers glide.
- Weatherstripping: Inspect the weatherstripping around the door frame and bottom for damage or tears that could allow air, moisture, or pests to enter.
- Safety Sensors: Ensure the sensors on either side of the door opening are clean and unobstructed. Test them by placing an object in their path and observing if the door automatically reverses.
2. Lubrication (Biannually):
- Hinges and Rollers: Apply a light coat of lubricant specifically designed for garage doors (consult your manual for recommended lubricants). Avoid using WD-40, as it can attract dirt and grime. To learn more about how to lubricate a garage door, check out this blog.
- Springs (Optional): Some torsion spring systems are self-lubricating, but some may require lubrication at the bearing points. Consult your user manual or a qualified garage door technician for specific instructions on lubricating your torsion spring system.
3. Additional Checks (Yearly):
- Balance Test: Manually lift the door halfway and see if it stays in place. If it tilts significantly, it might indicate a spring issue. Do not attempt to adjust the spring yourself. Contact a qualified garage door technician for inspection and adjustments.
- Opener Test: Test the automatic opener functionality. Does the door open and close smoothly? Do the safety sensors work properly?
4. General Tips:
- Keep the door clean: Wash the door periodically with mild detergent and water to remove dirt and grime buildup.
- Avoid excessive force: Don’t force the door open or closed if it seems stuck. This could put a strain on the motor and other components.
- Schedule professional inspections: Consider having a qualified garage door technician inspect your door every 1-2 years for a comprehensive evaluation and any necessary adjustments.
By following this checklist and addressing any potential issues promptly, you can ensure your garage door operates safely and efficiently for years to come.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Inspection | Monthly | |
| Door Panels | Monthly | Look for dents, cracks, warping |
| Hinges & Rollers | Monthly | Check for loose screws, rust, worn tracks |
| Weatherstripping | Monthly | Inspect for damage or tears |
| Safety Sensors | Monthly | Ensure they are clean and unobstructed. Test by placing an object in their path. |
| Lubrication | Triannually | Use a lubricant designed for garage doors petroleum base (not WD-40) |
| Hinges & Rollers | Biannually | Apply a light coat of lubricant |
| Springs | Biannually (Optional) | Consult manual or technician for specific instructions |
| Additional Checks | Yearly | |
| Balance Test | Yearly | Manually lift the door halfway and see if it stays in place. Do not adjust yourself, call a technician if unbalanced. |
| Opener Test | Yearly | Test automatic functionality and safety sensors. |
| General Tips | N/A | |
| Keep Door Clean | N/A | Wash periodically with mild detergent and water |
| Avoid Excessive Force | N/A | Don’t force the door open or closed |
| Schedule Professional Inspection | Every 1-2 years |
For any other questions or information, contact Motion Garage Doors and a technician will guide you. If you are looking to book an appointment, send us an email or contact us at (437) 873-1407.
