Your garage door opener and garage door are hearty components of your home, providing convenience, security, and protection for your vehicles and belongings. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure optimal performance and longevity. At Ottawa Garage Door Experts, we understand the importance of proper maintenance to extend the life of your garage door opener and garage door. In this blog post, we will share six valuable maintenance tips that can help you prolong the lifespan of these essential components. Let’s explore these tips to keep your garage door system in top shape.
Regular Visual Inspection
It is important to conduct a visual examination of your garage door opener and garage door as a primary measure. Carefully inspect for indications of wear, damage, or misalignment. Verify that all parts, including the springs, cables, rollers, hinges, and tracks, are not loose or worn out. Detecting and resolving minor problems at an early stage can help prevent larger damages and expensive repairs.
Lubrication
Proper lubrication is critical to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of your garage door system. Apply a silicone-based or lithium-based garage door lubricant to the moving parts, such as hinges, rollers, and springs. Avoid using greasy or petroleum-based lubricants, as they can attract dirt and debris, causing more harm than good. Regular lubrication reduces friction, minimizes wear and tear, and extends the life of your garage door opener and garage door.
Test Safety Features
Your garage door opener has safety features to protect you and your belongings. Regularly test these features to ensure they are functioning correctly. Test the auto-reverse mechanism by placing a small object, like a roll of paper towels, in the door’s path. The door should automatically reverse upon contact. Also, check the photoelectric sensors by interrupting the beam while the door is closing. It should reverse immediately. If any of these safety features are not working properly, contact a professional for repairs.
Keep Tracks Clean and Aligned
The tracks guide the movement of your garage door, and keeping them clean and aligned is essential for smooth operation. Regularly remove any debris, dirt, or obstructions from the tracks. Use a soft cloth or brush to clean the tracks, and ensure they are properly aligned. Misaligned tracks can cause strain on the opener and lead to premature wear. If you notice any significant misalignment or damage to the tracks, seek professional assistance.
Check and Tighten the Hardware
Vibrations from the operation of your garage door can cause hardware to loosen over time. Regularly check and tighten all the nuts, bolts, screws, and brackets. Pay close attention to the hardware connecting the tracks to the wall and ceiling. Use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten any loose components. However, be cautious not to overtighten, as it can cause damage.
Professional Maintenance and Tune-Ups
While homeowners can perform regular maintenance tasks, scheduling professional maintenance and tune-ups for your garage door opener and garage door at least once a year is advisable. Trained technicians can thoroughly inspect, lubricate, adjust, and fine-tune your garage door system, ensuring optimal performance and identifying any potential issues before they escalate.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance is essential for prolonging the life of your garage door opener and garage door. By following these six maintenance tips, including regular visual inspections, lubrication, testing safety features, keeping tracks clean and aligned, checking and tightening hardware, and scheduling professional maintenance and tune-ups, you can ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your garage door system. Ottawa Garage Door Experts is here to assist you with all your garage door needs, from maintenance to repairs and installations. Take care of your garage!
