Garage Door Maintenance: Promoting Optimal Performance and Preventing Failure

21 December 2017
 Categories: , Blog


Garage doors are designed and built to provide long-term service in the home. However, these structures are not indestructible; they can fail. In simple terms, garage doors will experience a decline in performance due to wearing and tearing due to normal usage. Also, the element might become compromised due to impact and pressure accidents. If you have noticed the degradation of the garage door in your home, you should consider using the below guidelines to promote optimal functionality.

Check the Mounting Brackets

You should inspect the mounting brackets in your garage on a regular basis. In general, these brackets are designed to hold the tracks in place, allowing the door to operate smoothly. If these mounting elements fail, the garage door will not perform as expected. In simple terms, the supported tracks will fall out of alignment, and there will be significant problems in the movement. You should check for the loosening of the mounting brackets and the tracks.

You should repair the looseness immediately by tightening the screws and bolts holding these elements in place. You should also look for dents and crimps along the tracks and check for general misalignment. These forms of damage can retard the movement of the garage door during operation. In most cases, the tracks can be restored by using a rubber mallet. However, if the tracks are severely damaged due to neglect, you should consider replacement.

Clean the Garage Door Tracks

The smooth movement of the garage door during operation can be compromised by the accumulation of dirt and debris in the tracks. Simply speaking, the build-up will generate high friction when you close or open the garage door. This problem will not only cause unnecessary delays; it will also contribute to the degradation of the opening mechanism. Therefore, you should dedicate some time to cleaning the tracks. Ideally, you should use some household soap and water to remove the dirt and grease in the tracks. After scrubbing the elements clean, you should rinse thoroughly and dry. If you want to lubricate the tracks, use non-grease products such as mineral turpentine.

Inspect the Hardware

Finally, you should check the general hardware attached to the garage door for problems. Regular inspection will ensure that functional issues are discovered in time. Consequently, you can avoid the high repair charges associated with complete breakdown. You should be particularly keen when checking supporting springs and automated garage door openers. If these components show signs of damage or malfunction, you should consult an experienced garage door serviceperson for professional assistance. 


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