How to Maintain Your Garage Door

Regular garage door maintenance is essential to minimize any potential problems that might arise through regular use. While some maintenance should only be carried out by trained professionals, there are a few simple tasks that can be done with little mechanical knowledge that can help your garage door operate as efficiently as possible.

Regular Cleaning and Painting

Regular cleaning helps keep corrosive chemicals (such as road salt), dirt and debris away from and out of moving parts while maintaining your garage door’s finish. Cleaning your garage door doesn’t have to be complicated nor does it need to be done every day; a simple scrubbing with a soft brush and a mild soap a few times a year will suffice. In our snowy Canadian climate the most important thing is to invest in a good floor squeegee to push out all the snow melt that comes off your car which is often full of corrosive chemicals.

In the case of metal garage doors, regular cleaning should usually suffice, however wooden garage doors require more TLC. Wooden garage doors should be painted/re-finished every few years.  This ensures that they’re protected from moisture and prevents warping.

Lubricate Key Moving Parts

 One of the most important aspects of garage door maintenance is lubricating the moving parts that allow the garage door to move. A light weight mineral oil or good quality spray oil on the hinges and rollers should suffice in keeping your garage door opening and closing smoothly. Moving parts should be lubricated twice a year. It’s good to get into the habit of regularly checking the lift cables for corrosion or fraying when you lubricate the door.

Check for Loose Hardware

To keep your garage door well maintained and working as efficiently as possible, you should also periodically check and tighten any screws, nuts, and bolts since something as simple as an unchecked loose nut or bolt can cause serious problems down the line. While the few tasks listed above don’t require much skill or mechanical knowledge, it’s perfectly understandable if you’d rather have professionals take care of your garage door maintenance. Get in touch with The Door House today to find out how we can help maintain your garage door and keep it running smoothly and efficiently.