By
Olivia Hoj
Your garage door is important for many reasons. It is an integral part of your home’s aesthetic and overall curb appeal, and it can increase the overall value of your home. Your garage door also acts as a protection from entry to your home and keeps some of your most important assets (i.e. cars, boats, equipment, etc.) safe and secure.
A properly functioning garage door is also key to your schedule and routine. The average household uses a garage door 3 to 5 times per day. That’s roughly 1500 times in one year. You can begin to understand the importance of a properly-functioning garage door.
Like any large investment, you want to make sure your garage door is long lasting. Routine maintenance can help lengthen the life of your garage door and help prevent emergency garage door problems. Let’s dive in to seven things our experts suggest you should do to perform routine maintenance on your garage door:
Routine Maintenance Index
- Visually Inspect Cables
- Lubricate Moving Parts
- Clean the Tracks
- Clean the Garage Exterior
- Replace the Garage Door Remote Batteries
- Ensure Alignment of Photo Eyes
- Talk to a Trusted Garage Door Expert
- Conclusion
1. Visually Inspect Cables
Monthly visual inspection of garage door cables is important to preventing situations where your garage door will not open or close properly. Be sure to communicate any cable concerns with professional garage door experts. You should never attempt to change cables on your own as it can be very dangerous if not repaired correctly. Broken cables can make opening the garage door dangerous. The key here is a visual inspection. DO NOT manipulate the cables with your hands or tools. Visually observe the cables and look for signs of weakening or fraying. If you spot any damage or wear on the cables, reach out to your trusted garage door repair company. Leave it to professionals to determine the best course of action regarding your cables.
2. Lubricate Moving Parts
The moving parts of your garage door should be lubricated frequently in order to help the equipment operate smoothly and promote longevity. We recommend using a white lithium spray. While products like standard WD-40 may do the trick temporarily, the lubricant will dry out sooner and will not last as long as a white lithium spray. We recommend spraying lubricant on the moving parts of your garage door system 2-4 times per year. Click here to purchase our preferred lubricant.
3. Clean the Tracks
The tracks of your garage door should be kept clean and free from debris and grime. Ensure there are no larger materials that could prevent the tracks from operating properly. After many uses, you may experience a build up of grease. This grease should be removed before you properly lubricate the tracks. An old toothbrush can aid in removing any unwanted buildup. Use a lint-free cloth after scrubbing to remove the build up. Once the build up is gone, lubricate your tracks with the recommended white lithium spray.
4. Clean the Garage Exterior
Cleaning garage doors is important in maintaining ideal visual appeal. What you may be overlooking is the importance of cleaning the exterior to promote longevity. In order to keep your garage door in good condition, cleaning the actual exterior of the door should not be overlooked. The best way to clean your garage door is a simple method involving materials you likely already have in your home. Begin by mixing roughly 1 cup of mild dish soap with about 5 gallons of water. Use a gentle cloth or microfiber rag to wash the garage door in gentle circular motions. This will break up the grease and grime on the garage door. Once you feel the garage door has been properly cleaned, rinse with water.
If you have a wood garage door, it is important to ensure that the paint is replaced if it begins to chip off. Not keeping your garage door properly painted could lead to dry rot of the wood. Visually inspect your exterior garage door several times per month to catch any paint damage.
5. Replace the Garage Door Remote Batteries
While this may seem like an obvious suggestion, life can get busy and oftentimes the last thing on your mind is to replace batteries in your garage door opener. However, replacing batteries on a schedule and ensuring that the batteries never expire will help prevent emergency situations where you can’t gain access to your garage. Order proper batteries to have on hand for replacing your remote and keypad panel (if applicable).
6. Ensure Alignment of Photo Eyes
When your garage door won’t close properly, the solution could be as simple as aligning the photo eyes on your sensor.
This Youtube video can help walk you through the process of how to align the photo eyes.
Garage Door Won't Close - Align Garage Door Safety Eyes
7. Talk to a Trusted Garage Door Expert
Even with proper routine maintenance, you can’t prevent all issues that may arise with your garage door. There are some garage issues that you should NEVER attempt to fix on your own, like a spring or cable. Doing so is extremely dangerous and should only be done by professionals.This is why having a trusted garage door expert is important. Conduct research online to see what companies exist in your area. You can rely on reviews and other’s experiences. Speak with a company representative to see if the company is a good fit. Our experts at Monarch Door have been trusted by thousands for over 30 years.
Conclusion
Here is a summary of what we discussed that can be used as a plan of action in performing routine maintenance on your garage door. Start early with these tips. However, it is never too late to take better care of your garage door.
- Visually inspect your garage cables and report any signs of wear or damage to your trusted garage door professionals.
- Use white lithium spray to lubricate all moving parts on your garage door equipment 2-4 times per year.
- Use an old toothbrush and lint-free cloth to ensure that your garage door tracks are cleaned and free from unwanted grime and debris.
- Use a solution of gentle dish soap and warm water to clean the exterior of your garage door. If you have a painted wood door, ensure the paint is in good condition to prevent dry-rot.
- Have the proper batteries on hand to replace your garage door opener and keyboard panel.
- Ensure your photo eyes are properly aligned .
- Establish a relationship with a trusted garage door company and never attempt to change cables or springs on your own.
About Monarch Door
We've been selling, installing, and servicing garage doors in Utah for over 30 years. Our experts have the experience needed to provide you with exceptional products and service. Whether you need a new garage door or service on the one you have, we are here to assist you. We have the experience to fix any of your garage door issues, and the expertise to get you the garage that you've been searching for. Contact us here.