Tips to get your garage door winter ready

Your garage door is the largest moving part in your home, and it’s used many times a day during the all seasons. It’s important to keep your door running smoothly this upcoming season so you not stuck in the cold. Winter conditions cause your door a little more stress than the summer months due to the extreme dip in temperature. Here are a few tips on how make sure your garage door is running smoothly this winter.

1. Look and Listen. Next time you open your door watch the door operate and listen to what it sounds like. Is it running smooth? Does it make any harsh loud clunky noises? Do both sides look symmetrical? Is it jerky?
2. Give the hardware a good tighten. Since the average garage door moves more than one thousand times a year it’s important to tighten up the bolts and screws. Examine and tighten all roller brackets and bolts with a socket wrench.
3. Test the Balance. If your garage door isn’t balanced properly the door will have to work harder to open and close which can lead to a major repair. Disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle, manually move the door about halfway up. If the door doesn’t stay put the counterweight system isn’t properly balanced. Garage door spring adjustment should have left to a professional service, call us today!
4. Inspect Rollers. The rollers need to be inspected twice a year and replaced every seven years or so. Chipped, worn or cracker rollers should be replaced as soon as possible by a professional. Take a look at your track to located the rollers and inspect to see if there are any damages.
5. Lubricate Moving Parts. Since your door takes a lot of wear and tear its key to lubricate all of the moving parts including the overheard spring.
6. Test The Auto-Reverse Safety. It is important to make sure your door’s safety features are working properly. To do a test place a piece of wood or brick on the ground in the path of an open door. When the door touches the object it should reverse direction and go back up. To test the sensor, located on the sides of your door near the ground, push your door to close and pass your leg through the sensor and the door should reverse.
7. Clear Your Tracks. Make sure the tracks on either side of the door are free from debris and garage storage items.
8. Groom Your Garage Door. Check your garage door itself to for any cracks, dents, water damage or warp. Steel doors may have rust that can be painted which can be painted. Wash your door regularly with a mild all-purpose cleaner at the same time you do your car.

 
These tips will have you ready for the winter months ahead and make sure your garage door is working properly.