How to care for your garage door

Posted: December 15, 2021.

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When making home improvements or having a spring clean, many often overlook their garage door. However, regular use and exposure to extreme weather conditions can impact the safety of the door and how reliable it is during operation. Leaving any issues unaddressed can cause them to escalate into more large-scale problems that can put your safety at risk. To preserve the quality of the door and ensure it remains fully functional for years to come, it’s very important to carry out preventative maintenance. 

blue garage doors

This article will list our top 5 tips on how to properly care for your garage door so you can continue to reap the benefits of its high performance, durability and style.

Look and listen

Pay attention to anything out of the ordinary when the door is in use. Listen out for any unusual sounds, such as grinding or scraping noises, as this indicates that something is wrong. It’s also important to take notice of any jolting movements or imbalance as this suggests that the safety of the door has been compromised.

Examine working parts

Over time, regular use can cause your garage door to fall victim to general wear and tear. With this in mind, it’s important to check all of the mechanisms and working parts of the door to ensure they are operating as they should be. Simply carry out the following checks:

  • inspect rollers twice a year and tighten all roller brackets and bolts 
  • any worn or broken rollers must be replaced as soon as possible by a professional to ensure it is done so safely
  • apply oil to moving parts
  • remove any debris from the tracks on either side of the door
  • carefully check the cables – never attempt to repair any broken cables yourself, as it requires an expert eye to make sure it is sorted correctly

Test balance

As covered in our previous blog post, an imbalanced garage door can put a great deal of pressure on the door opener, which will lead to it needing to be replaced sooner. To test the balance, you must pull the release cord to disconnect the opener and manually move the door to the halfway point – if the door continues to move, it is imbalanced and will need to be examined by a professional as soon as possible.

Check weather stripping

The weather stripping is a rubber seal on the bottom of the door. If this is cracked or chipped, it must be replaced straight away to keep the contents of the garage protected from the outside elements. 

Inspect the exterior

Last but not least, you must inspect the exterior of the door for any chips, peeling paint, water damage or rust that will need to be treated. 

To protect the condition of the door, it’s important to wash its surface regularly using warm soapy water and a clean cloth, applying diluted bleach to any stubborn marks and stains such as oil or grease.

Sectional Garage Doors 5 - Shutter Spec Security

For garage door service and repairs in Aylesbury, Oxford and Thame, look no further than Shutter Spec Security. With a wealth of industry experience, our skilled technicians can diagnose any issues with your garage door and repair the fault swiftly and safely so it’s back up and running in next to no time. For further information or to book an appointment with us, simply get in touch today.

Get a free quote!

To arrange a home visit for a free survey and quote, call us today or fill in the form below. Call us on 01844 393 782

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