A garage door repair isn’t cheap. Depending on the door type and extent of the damage, they can range up to a few hundred dollars. Replacements are expensive too, and so it’s in your best interest to keep your garage door in great shape, to avoid expensive garage door repairs or replacement.
Fortunately, you can avoid costly garage door repairs or emergency garage door repairs with regular maintenance. Small tasks like cleaning debris, lubricating moving parts, tightening loose nuts and bolts, testing safety features, and scheduling professional maintenance can help.
Read on to learn about the type of maintenance that will keep your garage in top shape and contact us if you’re looking for a garage door repair company.
What Type of Maintenance Reduces the Need for Garage Door Repair?
Cleaning Debris Lubricating Moving Parts
Garage doors can be sensitive. An accumulation of dirt can interfere with its operation. It can also cause the door to jam and become inoperable.
Cleaning the door surface with a mild detergent and water solution to remove dirt and debris works well. Checking the door for signs of damage while you are at it is also a great idea. Inspect the weatherstripping often to ensure it seals properly.
Lubricating Moving Parts
Lubricating moving parts is also essential to avoiding garage door repairs. Parts that require lubrication include the hinges, rollers, and tracks. Lubrication keeps them operating smoothly and reduces friction to minimize wear and tear. You may also lubricate the lock system to prevent sticking and ensure it operates efficiently.
Lubricate parts using lithium or silicone-based grease. Close the garage door, disconnect the power, and use a moist cloth to wipe off the tracks. Use a vacuum if the tracks are excessively dirty.
Next, spray the grease onto the hinges, rollers, springs, locks, and bearing plates. Then spray the top of the rail where the chain runs. The chain has lubrication, so it will not require spray.
Spread the grease around with a cloth to ensure all areas are lubricated.
Tighten Loose Bolts and Nails
The movement and vibration that occurs when your garage door opens and closes can cause hardware to loosen over time. Loose hardware can throw off the door’s alignment and limit its functionality. It can lead to costly garage door repair issues.
Inspect brackets and bolts regularly to ensure they are in place. Use a socket wrench to tighten loose hardware.
Periodically Test Safety Features
Auto-reverse is an essential garage door safety feature. It causes the door to reverse its motion if it detects something underneath it. It prevents the door from closing on small children, pets, people, and objects. This is a safety issue, and if this issue is evident with your garage door you may require an emergency garage door repair.
Test your auto reverse features by placing an object like a block beneath the door. Close the door to ensure it auto-reverses when it detects the object. If it does not reverse, there could be an issue with the photo eyes or the system itself.
You may correct photo eye issues by wiping the lens or ensuring they’re aligned. If the issue is not easily fixable, call in a professional to assess your garage door repair.
The mechanical release is another vital safety feature. It opens the door manually if the power goes out. It can save a life if someone is pinned under the garage door.
You can check if your mechanical release works by shutting down the system and pulling on the chord. If the release doesn’t work, you may require professional services.
Adjust and Align the Door
Gaps between your garage door and frame could mean it’s misaligned. There are several reasons why a garage door may be misaligned. It could be due to loose hinges, misaligned tracks, uneven spring tension, or an uneven garage floor. You may be able to realign the door by:
- Adjusting the hinges
- Aligning the tracks
- Adjusting the spring tension
- Releveling the floor
- Pushing the door back into position
- Disconnecting the door opener to relieve tension
- Making fine adjustments by lifting the cables and not the spring
If these processes don’t help align the door, or if you don’t feel confident that you can perform them safely, do not hesitate to call a professional.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
If your garage door is more than two years old, you may choose to schedule annual maintenance. A professional will inspect the door’s 300-plus moving parts, including the springs, door panels, sensors, hardware, and track, and ensure everything is running smoothly. They will recommend maintenance and small repairs that can offset costly garage door repairs in the future.
Make Front Range Raynor Your Preferred Garage Door Repair Company
Front Range Raynor is a full-service garage door repair company. We offer various garage door options that are perfect for your home or business. Our quality doors will minimize your need for costly repairs.
If you require a repair, we’ll provide affordable service that gets your garage door in top shape, so you are less likely to need future repairs. We also offer maintenance to cut down on repairs.
We have been in the industry since 1987. Our years of expertise ensure high-quality service. We warranty our parts and repair and even provide emergency garage door repair.
Don’t spend all your money on garage door repairs. Call Front Range Raynor first. Our affordable services will ensure your garage door withstands the test of time
