After getting your Sparta garage door installation, you want to keep your door in good condition for many years to come. Sparta Overhead Garage Doors need more maintenance than you would think. They take up a third of your outdoor garage, and go through a lot of wear each day. If you want to take preventative measures to keeping your garage door healthy, here are a few maintenance tips for you.
Look for Problems | Sparta Overhead Garage Doors
If you use your garage door often, you want to pay attention when you open and close your door. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything out of the ordinary. Listen for any grinding or scraping sounds. Make sure it runs smoothly and does not jerk or stick. Look at the parts every once in a while to see if everything is symmetrical and where it should be. If something seems off, you want to get a little more detailed.
Tighten Hardware
After a lot of use, some parts are bound to come loose. Monitor the roller brackets and bolts to see if they need tightening. You can do this with a simple socket wrench in an afternoon. Your garage door probably opens and closes multiple times each day, maybe a thousand each year. Tightening the parts will keep your door running smoothly and prevent break downs.
Maintain Rollers | Sparta Overhead Garage Doors
Rollers for your garage door should be looked at twice a year, and depending on how often you use your door, they should be replaced about every seven years. If you notice any broken rollers, you could replace them yourself if unattached to the cable system. But if it’s more serious or you don’t want to do it yourself, you can always call Advanced Door Sales, which offers repair services for all your garage door needs.
Check Balance
If you disconnect the opener (pull the release handle) and pull your garage door halfway down, but the door does not stay in place, the garage door balance is off. You should leave this maintenance work to a professional, but knowing if your garage door is unbalanced is crucial to extending your garage door life. Without a proper balance, the door will wear down much faster because it will need to work harder to do the same amount of work.
Monitor Cables | Sparta Overhead Garage Doors
Never try to replace cables yourself, as they have the power to seriously injure or kill. These cables have the force to lift your large metal or wooden garage door, so messing with these could have dangerous consequences. If you see broken or damaged cables on your garage door, you should call for a professional to replace them as soon as possible.
Replace Weatherstripping
If you notice your weatherstripping seal has worn down, replace it immediately. You can hire a professional or purchase the material yourself, cut it to size, and replace the seal. This will help the energy efficiency of your home by keeping the cold and/or warm weather out.
Lubricate Everything | Sparta Overhead Garage Doors
Keeping your moving garage door well-greased will extend your garage door life, and will only take a few minutes each year. Purchase these lubricants from a garage door specialist and spray any moving parts, including overhead springs and hardware.
Clean Your Door
The actual door itself will also need cleaning to keep it running longer. Metal doors may rust and need sanding and painting, while wooden doors should be checked for water damage and chipping. Take some time to wash your garage door, maybe after you finish washing your car.
Sparta Overhead Garage Doors | Advanced Door
All of these tips will not only help your garage door run better, but will also keep it looking fresh and beautiful to match the rest of your home. Advanced Door Sales wants to help you with any of your professional door maintenance needs, and if the door is beyond repair, reach out to us about a new Sparta garage door installation. Family owned and operated since 1998, we are capable of helping you with any project from installation to maintenance.