New Garage Doors Maintenance Tips That Save You Money Long-Term

Your garage door is one of the hardest-working systems in your home. It opens and closes several times a day while constantly being exposed to changing temperatures, moisture, wind, and everyday wear. Regular garage door maintenance can help prevent unexpected breakdowns, extend the life of your garage door, and save you money on costly repairs.

Check Your Garage Door Hardware

Start by inspecting the hardware on your garage door. Hinges, rollers, brackets, and other fasteners can gradually loosen over time, especially on doors that are used frequently.

Loose hardware can cause rattling, grinding noises, uneven movement, and unnecessary stress on other components. Check the hardware periodically and have loose or damaged components properly tightened or replaced.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Proper lubrication helps reduce friction between moving components and can keep your garage door operating more smoothly and quietly.

Garage door rollers, hinges, springs, and other appropriate moving parts should be lubricated with a garage-door-compatible lubricant when needed. Do not lubricate the garage door tracks. The tracks should remain clean so the rollers can travel properly.

Check the Garage Door Balance

A properly balanced garage door puts less strain on the garage door opener and other components.

With the door closed, disconnecting the opener and manually testing the door can help identify balance problems. If the door feels unusually heavy, drops quickly, or is difficult to lift, the springs or other components may require professional attention.

Never attempt to adjust or replace garage door springs yourself. Garage door springs are under significant tension and should be handled by a trained professional.

Inspect the Weatherstripping

Your garage door’s weatherstripping helps keep out rain, snow, cold air, dirt, and pests. Damaged or deteriorated weatherstripping can also allow drafts and moisture into your garage.

Inspect the bottom seal and weatherstripping around the door. If you notice cracks, gaps, or sections that have pulled away from the door or frame, replacing the damaged weatherstripping can help improve the seal around your garage.

Keep the Garage Door Tracks Clean

Garage door tracks should be kept free of dirt, debris, and other obstructions. Dirty or damaged tracks can interfere with the movement of the rollers and cause the door to operate unevenly.

Never bend, adjust, or force a damaged track back into position. If a track is bent or the rollers are coming out of the track, contact a professional garage door technician.

Test Your Garage Door Safety Features

Safety features should be tested regularly to make sure your garage door is operating correctly.

Check that the photo-eye safety sensors are clean, aligned, and unobstructed. You should also make sure the garage door reverses properly when its safety system is activated.

If the safety sensors are not working correctly or your garage door opener is behaving unexpectedly, stop using the door until the problem can be inspected and repaired.

Watch for Warning Signs

Regular maintenance also means paying attention to changes in how your garage door operates.

Warning signs can include:

• Unusual grinding, squeaking, or rattling noises
• A garage door that opens or closes unevenly
• A door that feels unusually heavy
• Broken or stretched cables
• Damaged or bent tracks
• Worn or damaged rollers
• A garage door that shakes during operation
• A garage door opener that struggles to lift the door
• A door that does not close completely
• A garage door that comes off its tracks

Addressing these problems early can often prevent a minor issue from becoming a more expensive garage door repair.

How Often Should You Maintain Your Garage Door?

A quick inspection every few months is a good habit for most homeowners. Garage doors that are used heavily may require more frequent inspections and professional maintenance.

If you notice a problem, do not wait until the garage door stops working completely. Early repairs can help protect the door, opener, springs, cables, rollers, and other components from additional damage.

Keep Your Garage Door Working Smoothly

A little preventative maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your garage door safe, quiet, and dependable. Regular inspections, proper lubrication, clean tracks, good weatherstripping, and attention to warning signs can help extend the life of your garage door and reduce unexpected repair costs.

If your garage door is making unusual noises, operating unevenly, coming off the tracks, or having trouble opening or closing, professional garage door repair can identify the problem before it becomes a bigger issue.

For homeowners looking for reliable garage door repair in London, Ontario, Concore Garage Doors provides professional residential and commercial garage door repair, maintenance, installation, replacement, and garage door opener services.