Ottawa Garage Doors > Blog > Garage Door Maintenance Checklist

DIY Garage Door Maintenance Checklist

Garage doors need to be maintained on a periodic basis to ensure their longevity.
DIY maintenance of garage doors can be quite cost effective and you need to train yourself to identify any faults in the doors.
Routine maintenance will allow you to prevent damage caused by extraneous objects, inspect the wear and tear of the hardware, determine the quality of the finish, and remove any dirt that collects on the door.

Infographic by HILL COUNTRY OVERHEAD DOORS

Inspect the appearance of the door

If you have a wooden door, you should look for parts that have water damage.
If your door is made of steel, you should inspect for rust spots. Carefully examine every aspect of your door to check for wear and tear.
You should ideally clean the door once on a monthly basis with the right cleaner. You can use an all-purpose cleaner or a material-specific cleaner.
Thoroughly rinse the door after wash and give it sufficient time to dry.

Visually inspect all other aspects

Inspect the springs, pulleys, hinges, rollers, cables, and every type of hardware on the door.
Check them for wear and tear, and check how they sound as well.
If something does not appear to be right or sound right, it could balloon into an issue.
If you are unable to determine what has happened, you should immediately call for a trained technician.

Lubricate parts as required

Lubrication is an essential aspect of maintenance. You need lubricate the rollers on a regular basis with the appropriate lubricant.
The springs also need to be lubricated, and you should ideally lubricate both these items at least every 3 months.
Before choosing the lubricant, consult the seller to ensure that the lubricant will not damage your door in any manner.
If you don’t lubricate, the constant friction will result in the hardware becoming worn out faster.
Lubrication alone can extend the life of the rollers and the springs by 3-4 years.

Test the balance of the door

Testing the balance of the door is an excellent way to identify if your door is in the right condition.
If your door has an automatic opener system, you can close the door and disconnect the opener.
Now you should open the door with your hands to see how smoothly the door opens.
By doing this, you will also be able to determine how much lubrication is required.
Once you open the door halfway, let go of it and maintain a safe distance before you do so.
If the door rises or slams to the ground, it is certainly off balance.
If the door doesn’t become smoother to lift after lubrication, it is a sign that you need to call a technician.

HOW TO BALANCE A GARAGE DOOR –>> CLICK