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Home Improvement

6 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Garage Doors

  • May 10, 2024
  • 4 min read
6 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Garage Doors

Your garage door uses a lot of moving parts, and they’re all subject to wear and tear. It’s important to keep up with a regular maintenance routine to help them last longer.

Here are six tips to extend the life of your garage doors. They may seem simple, but they’ll make a big difference!

1. Don’t Forget to Lubricate

Lubrication is essential for any garage door’s moving parts to work properly. Without it, they can become corroded or grind against each other and break down over time. This can cause noise and can even rob your door of functionality.

To lubricate your garage door, first close it and cut power to it (either by unplugging the opener or switching off the breaker). You can use a silicone-based lubricant or penetrating oil spray. For hard-to-reach places, you can also use heavy-duty grease. 

Make sure to reapply the lubricant after opening and closing the door a few times to distribute it evenly. Then, you can enjoy a quieter, more functional door for longer.

www.teamgaragedoors.com offers comprehensive garage door services, including installation, repair, and maintenance. Their expertise ensures efficient and reliable solutions, enhancing security and convenience for residential and commercial clients.

2. Keep It Clean

One of the best ways to keep your garage door’s lifespan intact is by keeping it clean. This prevents pollutants and dirt from building up on the track, photo-eye sensors and other components.

Be sure to avoid using abrasive sponges and detergents when washing your door. They can scratch or damage the surface and erode the paint.

Also make a point of regularly checking and tightening the various nuts, bolts and screws holding the door together. 

This keeps it secure and reduces loosening and wear. It is also a good idea to test the mechanical safety and photocell safety features to ensure they function correctly.

3. Take Care of the Hardware

Your garage door has a lot of moving parts that require regular lubrication to ensure smooth operation. If you don’t do this, the parts can start to wear down and cause problems like squeaking or getting stuck.

This can be dangerous for your family, especially children. Luckily, your garage door has safety features like sensors and emergency release ropes. Regular inspections can help you identify issues before they become major problems, saving you money in the long run.

In addition, lubricating the rollers, springs, and hinges can prevent damage from dirt buildup and spider webs. This can prolong the lifespan of your garage door.

4. Don’t Let It Aging

As time passes, the vibrations of your garage door can loosen nuts, bolts and screws. It is essential to inspect these components regularly and tighten them as needed.

Garage doors are designed with mechanical and photocell safety features to prevent them from crushing anything in their path. You can test these safety measures by putting an object in the path of the sensor and ensuring that the door reverses its direction.

In addition, it’s important to listen for unusual sounds like scraping or grinding. These can indicate that a specific element is going wrong and needs to be replaced or repaired. This will ensure the smooth operation of your garage doors for longer.

5. Don’t Let It Get Worse

Your garage door is an important financial investment and you want to be able to enjoy it for a long time. By keeping up with regular maintenance and repairs, you can extend the life of your garage doors.

Be sure to use a silicone-based lubricant on springs, rollers and tracks because they are more weather resistant than standard engine oil and will work better in freezing temperatures. 

You should also try to avoid leaving anything leaning on or in the path of your garage door. This can block, damage or break components. Also, be sure to open and close your garage door periodically to prevent ice build up.

6. Get Professional Help

While some homeowners might only notice their garage door when it breaks down or needs a repair, the fact is that it can be a lot easier to extend its life with simple but practical maintenance tips.

Garage doors are complex systems that use specialized hinges, motors, cables, rollers, tracks, and brackets to work properly. Keeping an eye out for anything unusual or different can help you determine when something is wrong and needing attention.

If you hear strange sounds or see a problem with your garage door, don’t hesitate to contact a professional to do a full inspection. 

A qualified technician, such as one from Team Garage Doors, can quickly find any issues that may be causing your garage door to break down.visit their company website.

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Alyona Jain