Fall is officially here! It’s time to start thinking about preparing our homes for the colder weather. Before temperatures really drop and it gets too cold to spend time outdoors, you should perform a few maintenance tasks on your garage door system to ensure it works smoothly for you throughout the winter.
Skipping fall maintenance could force you out into the bitter cold to deal with a problem you could have prevented if you had been prepared; it could also cost you a lot of extra money. Getting outside sometime this fall and going through this checklist could pay off for you in more ways than one!
Clean your door’s surface and metal parts.
If you don’t clean your door occasionally, the dust and grime that builds up on its surface or metal components can cause it to rust. Grab a bucket, fill it with warm water and soap, and wipe down the metal parts with a rag. For the door’s surface, you need to consider what type of door you have and wash it accordingly.
To clean your steel garage door, fill a bucket with five gallons of water mixed with one cup of mild laundry detergent and wipe down its surface. If you have a wood garage door, it should be inspected annually and refinished when necessary. Carefully follow our maintenance and painting instructions for wood doors.
Lubricate all moving parts.
Every fall and spring, you should lube the moving parts of your garage door. This includes the tracks, rollers, hinges, springs, and shaves. If you don't apply fresh lube periodically, the old lube could harden, and your door could potentially run off the track. Applying fresh lube in the fall will help your garage door run more smoothly throughout the winter.
As you lube different parts, check for wear and tear as well. If hinges are bent, rollers make a clicking sound when they move, bolts or nuts are loose, or anything else seems amiss, you may need to replace or repair some things. The earlier you catch small problems, the better chance you have at preventing major issues from arising.
Inspect your door’s weatherstripping.
The weatherstripping is the rubber piece attached to the bottom of your door. Check for any cracks, broken pieces, or tears. If you see any, you should replace it with a new piece. If this seal isn’t kept in good shape and replaced when necessary, it can let moisture and pests into your garage and lower your home’s energy efficiency (if your garage is attached).
Monthly Garage Door Maintenance Tasks
You should also perform a few monthly inspections and tests, including checking garage door spring tension, testing the photo eye sensors and reverse safety mechanism, and performing a door balance test.
If you notice something is wrong when testing, inspecting, or cleaning your garage door system, call WD Door. We’ll help you get your door ready for winter, so you can rest easy and avoid an emergency situation during the worst possible time of the year. We provide garage door repair and installation services for the Greater Des Moines area. Call us today!
