With the changing weather and heavy rains we’ve been experiencing this spring, it’s important to make sure we take care of our garage door systems and make small repairs as needed to keep them running smoothly. Here are several common problems homeowners face this time of the year. Many of these tasks can be completed on your own without the help of a pro!
Replace the weather seal.
Protect your vehicles and other items inside your garage, and keep your home more energy efficient by making sure the bottom seal of your garage door is in good shape. This weather seal helps prevent unwanted wind and rain from entering your garage. First, inspect the rubber piece at the bottom of your door. Do you see any cracks, rips, or holes? If so, you should replace it. To replace, you’ll need to remove the old piece and measure for a new one, then head to the home improvement store or look online for weather stripping.
Inspect your door for air leaks.
To inspect your garage door for leaks, where water and air can sneak through, grab an assistant to help you perform a simple test. Have your helper stand outside with a flashlight while you’re inside the garage with the door shut and interior lights off. With the flashlight shining towards the door, take note of any cracks or areas where the light is seeping through. Seal any leaks you find to make your garage less drafty.
Clean the photo eye sensors.
Periodically, you should wipe off the photo eye sensors near the base of your garage door with a soft cloth to remove any dust that has collected there. Make sure you’re careful not to scratch the photo eyes or knock them out of alignment. To learn how to troubleshoot and align photo eye sensors that are malfunctioning, read our article, "Is Your Garage Door Not Closing or Reversing After a Few Inches?"
To learn more about regular maintenance you should perform to keep your garage door running smoothly and efficiently, read these previous articles on our blog:
- How to Keep the Wind and Rain Out of Your Garage
- Your Fall Garage Door Maintenance Guide
- Does Your Garage Door Pass the Test?
If you don’t know what’s wrong with your garage door and you need a professional opinion, don’t hesitate to call WD Door! We repair broken garage doors and install new commercial and residential garage doors around Des Moines. Let us know how we can be of service!
