Summer’s coming to an end. As we prepare for the colder weather and pull out the pumpkins and warm apple cider, it’s important to make sure our homes are ready for the changing conditions as well. Performing a few preventive maintenance tasks every fall will help keep your door running smoothly (so you avoid having to make several repairs in the spring) and could potentially save you a lot of money in the long run. As a general rule, the following tasks should be performed twice a year, ideally in the fall and spring.
Check the rubber piece at the bottom of your door to see if it’s still in good shape. If there are cracks or tears, it won’t effectively do its job (keep wind, rain, snow, and critters out of the garage). Replace the part this fall, before the cold, harsh weather sweeps in. Not only will weatherstripping keep harmful elements out of your garage, but it will also help maintain energy efficiency throughout your home if you have an attached garage.
You should lube your garage door’s moving parts—hinges, tracks, rollers, shaves, and springs—twice a year. In the winter, old lubricant can become hard and sticky. Applying fresh lubricant in the fall can keep your system running smoothly all winter long. If you fail to lube your rollers and shaves when necessary, your door could run off its track.
Tip: We recommend lubing when the door is open. This way, any extra lube applied to the rollers will run across the track instead of dripping onto the floor and going to waste. When lubing the spring, run a single bead of oil across the top.
Read our previous post, Your Fall Preventative Maintenance Checklist, for more details on how to lube your door effectively and what type of oil to use.
Grab a bucket, and fill it with warm, soapy water. Take a soft cloth, and wipe down the metal parts of your garage door system to clear away dirt and grime that has collected there over the past several months. You can either dry it with a towel or allow it to air dry. This will help prevent your door from rusting.
If dirt is left on the surface of your garage door for too long, your door can begin to fade or become discolored. If you have a steel garage door, wipe it down with one cup of a mild laundry detergent dissolved in five gallons of warm water to help restore its original appearance. If the finish on your door is beginning to wear down, crack, or peel, it may need a fresh coat of paint or stain. If you have a wooden door, follow our specific maintenance instructions on our website.
There are also monthly maintenance checks you should perform. Click on the following links to learn how to perform these important tests:
If you perform the above tests and notice something isn’t working properly, give us a call, or send us a message online by clicking on the button below. We want your garage door to be in great shape before winter hits so you don't run into an emergency when it's bitterly cold. WD Door is located in Ankeny, and we perform garage door repairs for customers throughout the Greater Des Moines area and beyond.