Fall is an exciting time of year. The leaves are turning color, and the weather is getting cooler. But with fall comes the season for garage door maintenance. While you may be tempted to wait until spring to ensure your garage door is in optimal shape, there are a few things you can do now to prevent any additional wear and tear and save yourself the trouble of more expensive repairs. Here are some tips for taking care of your door and getting it ready for the fall.
Check for the Light or Air Gaps and Seal Them
The garage door is an integral part of your home’s exterior. In most climates, the garage door is a critical aspect of the energy efficiency of your house. Be sure to check for light gap around windows or other doors on the bottom panel of the door. Fill in any gaps with caulk or foam, and make sure there are no small holes. An air gap can allow moisture to enter your garage because the moisture gets trapped and condenses as air moves across it.
Inspect Door Tracks
The door tracks are the part of the door that keeps it in place. They should not be bent, and they should not become too worn. Make sure you check for weather checking and rust spots as well as stiff or bent tracks. This is one area where you can save money by replacing a track rather than having to replace both your garage door and garage door opener. An inspection ensures that the track doesn’t snap, break, or bend – all of which can cause difficulty opening and closing your garage door.
Organize for a Pro Inspection
An annual garage door inspection is the best way to ensure the door lasts as long as possible. A professional can spot problems such as broken wires, loose springs, bent tracks, and any other issues that may be causing your door to malfunction or have issues opening and closing. Any debris causing difficulties should be cleaned out of the door and tracks, which can be done with a special tool used to clean garage doors.
Lube the System
Lubrication is important for any system that moves. Make sure you regularly lubricate the garage door opener and its cables. Rubbing some lubricant into the tracks can increase the life of your system by reducing friction. This can also reduce wear and tear on the track and springs, which will help prolong their usefulness. By lubricating the springs, they will have less work to do, so they will last longer.
Replace Worn Out Parts
If you find something worn out or broken, you may want to replace it before the fall. Even if the part is still working, it can cause issues later on when it fails and needs to be replaced. Worn parts are prone to break at any time. The last thing you want is a broken garage door in the middle of a storm or after dark when no one can come to fix it until morning. This is why it’s important to get your garage door parts replaced before the fall by scheduling a service appointment with a certified and licensed contractor who can take care of the entire job right then and there.
Touch Up Paint
Check to make sure that your garage door is in decent shape. Inspect it and look closely at the paint job to see if there’s any damage. If the paint on your door looks faded or is fading too fast, you may need to touch up those spots. Get the paint touched up in those areas, and protect the door from rust by using rust protection. Paint also fades due to the sun, and touching it can help it last longer by preventing future rusting.
Clean Out the Cables and Tracks
You will want to clean out the cables and tracks of your garage door opener before it gets too cold. If you wait too long, you may have a clogged garage door or other issues that could make your opener inoperable. When removing debris and dust, be sure to use gloves and a vacuum that has a brush attachment. Water drains out of the system and can make it look bad. Ensure cords are not tangled or caught.
Install a Switch that Turns Your Door Off
Weather is one of the biggest issues leading to garage door breakdowns. When the weather gets cold, moisture and condensation can build up on the door. If you want to prevent your garage door from freezing shut and breaking down, you should install an automatic switch that will turn the garage door off when it’s cold outside. This way, water won’t be able to damage the rest of your system or cause even more problems inside. It also ensures that your garage door won’t get stuck in a closed position if it freezes to partially open – a potentially hazardous situation. Central State Door Service offers various garage door repair services to all its customers, including full-service maintenance and door installation.
These things should be done before the fall season gets cold, wet, and snowy. You don’t want to worry about your garage door breaking down when you need it most. An unrepaired garaged door not only costs hundreds of dollars, but it’s also unsafe. Having your garage door taken care of by a professional ensures that it will last without any major issues or malfunctions until you’re ready to upgrade. Book a service appointment today for your fall garage door maintenance tips.
When you have issues with your garage door, you will depend on professionals to fix them. Whether you need reparation at home or garage door repairs, consider Central State Door Service. Our professionals are fully trained and certified to fix the issues that lead to broken garage doors, including transmission problems, jammed openers, and more.
