7 Tips to Help Extend the Life of Your Garage Door

Taking care of a garage is an important responsibility. In addition to the daily chores you have to manage around your home every day, your garage should be included on your to-do list. If you are a homeowner and wondering how you can better maintain your garage and keep it in good condition for years to come, there are several things you can do. Taking small, preventative measures now will help you avoid larger and more expensive problems later on. Keep reading to find out how you can properly maintain your garage and keep it in proper condition in the coming years.

#1 - Clean the Hardware Every So Often

If you want your garage door to last a long time, you will need to make sure to do a deep clean of your garage and the hardware on your garage door every few months. You may need to clean more often depending on your location, the season, and the amount of debris that may build up over time. Doing a deep clean every now and then will help you stay on top of any problems while also increasing the longevity of your garage.

#2 - Add Lubrication Where Necessary

Adding lubrication to certain garage door parts is a necessary maintenance procedure that will also help extend the life of your garage door. Typically, you will want to apply lubrication to the garage door rollers, tracks, hinges, and springs. Make sure to wipe down these parts with a cloth first to remove any dirt or debris. Be sure to follow the instructions on the garage door lubrication bottle itself or in your garage door manual to make sure lubrication is properly applied. You can also hire an expert to do this for you if you prefer someone’s help instead. Either way, lubrication will help extend your garage door and keep the parts functioning as they should.

#3 - Keep the Door Itself Free of Debris

In addition to keeping the various parts of your garage door clean, you will also want to see to it that the door itself remains clear. Any dust or debris that collects on the outside of your garage may eventually make its way on the inside, causing screws and other metal components to breakdown. Be sure to thoroughly clean your garage door as a part of your regular monthly cleaning routines.

#4 - Pay Attention to the Weather-Stripping

The weather-stripping on your garage door sits along the bottom. It is important to keep the weather-stripping in good condition to help extend the life of your garage and protect the contents inside. Clean the weather-stripping every so often and be sure to check for any breaks or cracks. If you notice that the weather-stripping seems dry, cracked, or broken in certain places, make sure to have it repaired or replaced immediately.

#5 - Keep the Photo Eye Clean

The garage door photo eye sits on either side of your garage door near the bottom. It consists of two sensors that match one another from left to right. The invisible beam that matches the two sensors of the photo eye is able to detect when something is blocking the path of the beam and will stop immediately. This is a safety feature that was put on garage doors not too long ago as a way to prevent injury and accidental death. Prior to the invention of the photo eye, garage doors would not stop if someone were to run under them or block the path of the door.

In order to keep your garage door functioning as it should, you will want to make sure to clean the photo eye every now and then. Your garage door may malfunction or fail to stop in an emergency if the photo eye is not clean and kept clear.

#6 - Do Not Allow Children to Play in or Near the Garage

It is important to never allow children to play with your garage door. Although the various parts of your garage may be enticing to kids, you should never allow them to tamper or play with them. Children can easily get injured by getting their fingers caught in a cable or spring. They can also wear out the motor by playing with the opening and closing function of the garage door. If you have to, explain to your children that the garage door is not a toy and can cause harm if it is played with.

#7 - Schedule a Professional Consultation

One final thing you can do to help extend the life of your garage door is to hire a professional to give you an inspection and consultation. There may be things wrong with your garage or minor repairs that you may not notice right away. Having an expert double-check your garage is always a good idea if you want to increases its longevity. Trained garage door experts will know certain signs and symptoms to look for that an untrained eye may deem normal or of no concern. If you can hire an expert to help you stop smaller problems in their tracks, you will not only save money, but also extend the life of your garage door at the same time. Call around to see if any garage door experts in your area can offer you a consultation!