If you haven’t tuned up your garage in a while, don’t let the project slide any further. Ideally, you will tune-up your garage door at least once per year. Tuning up your garage will make you aware of any potential problems and ensure that it is operating as designed. Even the highest quality garage doors can operate at a reduced efficiency after extensive use and exposure to mother nature’s wrath. Let’s get right into the nitty-gritty of how to properly perform a garage door tune-up.
Begin by Powering Down Your Garage Door
The first step to performing a garage door tune-up is to disconnect its electrical components. Power down the garage door and you won’t run the risk of accidentally turning it on in the midst of a tune-up.
Scan the Garage Door for Obvious Signs of Trouble
Once you have powered down the garage door, give the entire system a once-over. Check for any red flags such as rollers that are no longer fully intact or in solid working order. Other red flags include worn weatherstripping or sealant and other visibly damaged parts. If you have any question as to whether a certain part can hold up for more than a few more months, replace them.
Of particular importance is the weatherstripping along the bottom of steel garage doors. Such weatherstripping is prone to harm as it presses against the ground when the garage door closes. Even minor cracks are enough to warrant a full weatherstripping replacement. Replacing weatherstripping is not as much of a hassle as you might expect. Grab a tape measure to determine the garage door’s length and width, and buy the appropriate size for replacement.
Lubrication
Every garage door can use some extra lubrication. Apply an oil lubricant to garage door metal rollers. If the rollers are made of vinyl or rubber, do not use oil for lubrication, as it may contribute to accelerated deterioration. Instead, use a lubricant that is appropriate for your garage door’s specific rollers.
Look for Misaligned Locking Bars
Misaligned locking bars occur at a surprisingly high frequency. They are a problem as they can prevent the proper locking of the garage door. The lock bars should be able to slide into the door track slots without encumbrance. If your garage door’s locking bars are misaligned, loosen the screws along the guide brackets that serve to maintain the lock bars. Use a hammer to tap the screws until the bars and slots are aligned. Lastly, tighten up the screws.
Inspect Your Garage Door’s Moving Parts
Take a close look at your garage door’s hinges, bolts and hardware. These parts are designed to move freely yet such a design also means they can loosen as time progresses. If you find any bolts or screws that seem loose, tighten them up with a screwdriver. Alternatively, some parts that should move with ease might stick or fail to move as fluidly as intended. Check for dirt and gunk in the areas around these parts. Be sure to remove only one piece at a time so that you don’t reinsert a part in the wrong spot once you have cleaned away the grime.
Give the Chains and Springs Some Lubrication
The garage door requires lubricated chains and springs to open and close in a fluid manner. Lubricate the springs with a silicone-based spray. Use a lubricant that contains white lithium grease to grease up the chains. If lubrication does not loosen up the chains or springs, reach out to our professionals and we will perform a manual adjustment.
Mind the Tracks
If the help of a carpenter’s level, ensure the door’s tracks are vertical. If you find that they are not perfectly vertical, contact our team for professional assistance.
Wrap it up With one Final Check
Once you have completed your garage door tune-up, test it out by opening the door halfway. Leave it open in this position. If it holds steady while half-open, your tune-up worked. If it does not hold, the cables and springs may be improperly balanced. Contact us to schedule a professional adjustment.
When in Doubt, ask the Professionals
Tuning up a garage door is not exactly an easy task for the typical home or business owner. If you need any assistance with your garage door tune-up or anything else related to your garage door, do not hesitate to contact our professionals. Our garage door aficionados will answer your questions and address all of your concerns. You will enjoy a priceless peace of mind after our team of professionals has finished working on your garage door.
