However, a poorly maintained garage door is often problematic and can increase the probability of premature failure, costly repair bills, and a reduced lifespan. Learn seven simple garage door maintenance tips to keep it functioning  optimally and looking good.

Know Your Door

Take time to read the user manual and familiarize yourself with the garage door. This way, you know how the door works and can troubleshoot issues. Also, when operating the door, watch and listen to it. Typically, your door should  run smoothly and quietly. Irregular movements and unusual grinding sounds often indicate something is wrong, and you should call a professional to check it.

Check Rollers

The rollers are among the most used parts of your garage door. They resemble wheels and allow the door to move up and down for a smooth, quiet, and efficient operation. As such, inspect your rollers twice per year, and replace any worn-out, chipped, or cracked rollers. A problematic roller can result in an off-balanced and malfunctioning door.

Test the Auto Reverse Function

With auto reverse, a garage door stops and reverses when it detects something on its path. Since this is a crucial safety feature, ensure it is operational. You can test this feature by placing an obstacle like a piece of wood on the door's

path and try closing it. The door should stop and reverse before or upon touching the object.

Clean the Door

Keep your garage door clean to promote your home's aesthetics. Create a cleaning routine to get rid of dust, debris, and dirt on the door. If you have a wooden door, inspect it regularly for water damage and warping. Check for rust  on steel doors and smoothen and repaint as necessary.

Tighten the Hardware

Homeowners use garage doors countless times every year. Due to this heavy use and movement, some door parts become loose and can produce squeaking sounds. Therefore, use a socket wrench to tighten loose garage door  hardware.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Moving parts such as rollers, hinges, and pulley systems require lubrication to function properly and increase lifespan. If you notice rust on these parts, use a penetrating solution first before applying a lubricant.

Balance the Door

An unbalanced garage door can wreak havoc on your door as well as the opener. It strains the garage door opener, forcing it to work harder and wear prematurely. Signs of an unbalanced door include an uneven look when operating,  strange noises, and longer than usual opening or closing. A professional can help you remedy an unbalanced garage door.

Inspect the Tracks, Cables, and Pulleys

With time, dirt and debris accumulate on your garage door's tracks, hindering movement. Clear any visible debris and ensure the tracks are vertical.

Then, examine the cables and pulleys that facilitate the working of the garage door. Call a garage door professional if you spot damaged cables and broken strands. Since cables and pulleys are high-tension components, do not attempt  to repair them yourself.

Hire a Garage Door Specialist

A well-maintained garage door functions correctly and efficiently, serves you for longer, and saves you the hassle of recurrent repairs and premature replacement. However, garage door inspection, lubrication, and repairs can be  daunting with busy schedules. Consider hiring a garage door specialist to handle all these tasks for you.

Contact Overhead Doors Unlimited, LLC , for all things garage doors, such as maintenance, repair, and installation in Northeastern Wisconsin. We pride ourselves on prompt and quality service and experienced professionals.