Is your garage door sticky, squeaky or just plain ornery?
With summer upon us, there’s no time like the present to do some garage door maintenance.
Because winter will be back soon enough.
And you don’t want to find your car is “locked out” of the garage when there’s a blizzard in the forecast.
Preventative maintenance can save you a big headache later.
Summertime Garage Door Maintenance Tips
As with anything, some of these tips will be easier to manage than others.
But soon enough, you’ll become familiar with the inner and outer workings of your garage door.
1. Wash
Summer is the perfect time to remove dirt, grease, and build-up by giving your garage door a good soak.
Just add a little mild household detergent to the water and gently wipe off any residue with a washcloth or sponge. Once you’re done, be sure to rinse thoroughly.
2. Inspect the Hardware
Take the time to look over the visible parts of the door.
Do you notice any loose or missing bolts? Are there any hinges that have come loose over the winter? Is the track in alignment?
You can tighten down or replace any bolts. As far as the hinges and track, depending on the situation and your prowess, you may want to call in the experts.
3. Lubricate The Hardware Lubricated
Once you’re familiar with the hardware, lubricate it with a silicone lubricant spray that is approved by your garage door company.
And do not use grease or oil such as WD40 when lubricating your garage door.
Proper lubrication will help to eliminate strange sounds and keep the door running smoothly.
4. Add Insulation
You may not be thinking about insulating your garage door during the summer months.
Especially if your garage isn’t air-conditioned – which most aren’t.
But you still want to keep your garage as cool as possible to protect what’s in it during those hot summer months.
And if you have living space over the garage, this will be especially important.
5. Check The Balance
This sounds much harder than it is.
All you need to do is open your garage door about waist height. If the door stays in place, your balance is good. If not, the balance is off and should be addressed.
6. Touch up the Paint
While you’re busy beautifying your lawn and garden, give your garage door the once over with a brush.
And if touch-ups aren’t going to do the trick, it could be time to do a total repaint.
7. Check for Seasonal Damage
Each season brings its own set of challenges for your garage door.
So check to be sure there are no openings or holes in the door that will allow water into your garage or would be interesting to critters. Patch up any that you find.
Give Your Garage Door Some Love This Summer
Of course, one of the best garage door maintenance tips is to be sure you schedule a tune-up each summer with a certified professional.
There are certain things the professionals will catch that you may not.
So contact us today for a tune-up or any other garage door repair needs.
Then you can ensure that you’ll be able to pull into your garage all winter – when it REALLY matters.