There is probably no other area in your home that gets as much ‘wear and tear’ as your garage door. We’re not aware how frequently we make use of our garage door till it stops working.
Nearly all US families make use of their garages as the primary entrance into their house, being put to use multiple times during the day, a large number of times each year. When maintained in good working condition, it can offer storage and security.
Owning a garage may possibly make life a whole lot easier, now, when it’s not really cared for, may become a risk to loved ones, you and especially kids. Understandably, as progressive deterioration occurs, a garage door wire can give way or a door opener can breakdown, causing a hazard.
To keep it working properly, it is vital to undertake regular maintenance in order to avoid costly repairs.
Materials Needed
Avoid eleventh hour trips to the hardware shop by having all your resources onsite and ready in advance. You might not use just about every single device shown, but having it on hand can save you frustration and time.
– Tape Measure
– Wrench set
– Pliers
– Hammer
– Weatherstrip
– Screw gun
– White Lithium Grease
– Lubricant/Cleaner (WD-40)
– Flat blade screwdriver
– Garage door rollers
– Toothbrush
Safety First
In order to guarantee safety while focusing on your garage, be sure you don’t remove the lift wire. The garage wires are under intense pressure and will cut just like a knife if released.
Never try to release or adjust the garage door springs. This is certainly a job that needs to be left for the experts only.
1.) Paying Attention
When was the previous time you visually examined your garage door? You might not be considered a certified technician, nevertheless, you can take time to have a look at your garage.
In case you have a metallic garage, look for rust areas. These areas ought to be painted, sanded and primed. For those who have a wooden garage door, it must be examined for water damage and mold. If not sealed correctly, wood garage can warp and drop their form over time.
It will be good to clean your door regularly with an all-purpose cleaner. One’s garage door accocunts for a large part of the exterior of one’s house, therefore keeping it presentable and clean would have a positive impact on the overall look of your home.
2.) Watch & Listen To Your Door As It Operates
Have you got a noisy garage door? Do the cables and springs pulleys on both sides appear symmetrical? Now, does it move easily? Or does it jerk in a few places?
Taking the effort to listen to and observe your garage each time you make use of it is the ideal precaution every homeowner should do. By doing this, you’ll be aware when something doesn’t sound correct, or when something appears out of place.
3.) Testing The Balance
First, detach the opener. You accomplish this by pulling the reddish handle towards the end of the reddish cord. Now, once it’s disconnected, open the garage door about half way through. The 
garage door isn’t balanced as it should be If the door begins to close by itself. The door springs needs to be realigned. We advise that you contact a qualified professional to replace or repair your springs.
If the door isn’t correctly balanced, the garage opener will work harder. This will eventually cut short the lifespan of the garage door.
4.) Test Its Safety Features
There are two safety systems in your garage door: photocell and mechanical. A door that doesn’t have these basic safety features is definitely outdated and must be replaced as soon as possible.
In order to check the mechanical safety feature, place a solid object on the floor in the pathway of the garage door. When the garage hits the object whilst closing, it will automatically return back up.
When trying out the photocell feature, just stick your leg out in the garage door’s pathway when its closing. Your leg should come in contact with the photoelectric beam (not really visible) that runs across the bottom of the garage door. This should instantly go into reverse once the photoelectric beam gets in contact with your leg.
