You use your garage door every day, and after a while, it can start to take a toll on your system. While it’s impossible to completely protect your door from wear and tear, there are ways to care for it and extend its life. Check out these tips for increasing the lifespan of your garage door system.
This may seem obvious, but misusing the garage door can put unnecessary strain on it and lead to an early demise. Here are a few major points to consider.
Garage doors wear out after a given number of cycles. To prolong the life of your garage door system, cut back on the number of times you cycle it during the day. For example, if you and your spouse drive to work at different times, have the one who leaves first open the door and the one who leaves last close the door rather than both of you opening and closing the door. Examine other times of high traffic throughout the day to see if there are cycles that you can cut back on or eliminate.
The garage door may seem like an at-home carnival ride, but that definitely isn't the case if you want to have it for long! Riding on the garage door isn't just bad for the system; it's unsafe for the user. Teach your children not to play on the door to be certain that it isn't put under unnecessary strain—and they’re not put at unnecessary risk.
If your garage door is malfunctioning, don’t try to force it open or closed. Doing so can worsen the damage and may even ruin the entire system. Instead of trying to open the door on your own, call a garage door professional and have them examine the problem.
Another key factor in keeping your door up and running is regular maintenance. Here are a few ways you can help to prolong your garage door system’s lifespan.
Friction is your system's enemy, so once a month, lubricate all of the moving parts like the track and rollers. This will help the system to run smoothly and extend its lifespan.
For a long-lasting garage door, be sure to properly clean and repair it at least once a year. Cleaning your door will help you identify areas that aren’t protected by paint or stain and allow you to make the necessary repairs.
Once or twice a year, or however often it is needed, tighten the hardware throughout your garage door system. Keeping all of the pieces tightened will ensure that the system runs in alignment and prolong the lifespan for your garage door system as a whole.
When it comes to caring for your garage door system, sometimes you can’t do it all. For inspections, repairs, and replacements that you can’t do on your own, contact a trustworthy garage door professional. Relying on the pros will help you care for your garage door in the best way possible.
If you need garage door services in the greater Des Moines area, contact WD Door. As an expert on garage doors, we’re happy to help you maintain, repair, or even replace your garage door system. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive garage door services.