Summer is here and it’s time to start preparing for the warmer months to come. One of the most important ways to prepare your Atlanta garage door for summer is to catch up on your regular door maintenance. No matter how old or new your garage door, proper maintenance is crucial for ensuring long-lasting safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Let’s take a look at the importance of summer garage door maintenance for Atlanta residents in a bit more detail. We’ll also share seven critical tips for keeping your garage door functioning well and looking great all throughout the spring and summer.
The Importance of Summertime Garage Door Maintenance
Summer is the best time to maintain your garage door because it’s when you can assess any potential problems before they get worse. Many problems with garage doors are due to weather-related issues, so as the warmer season approaches, it’s a great idea to review some garage door summer maintenance tips. In Atlanta, the weather is typically hotter and more humid than many other parts of the country, so Atlanta residents need to take extra precautions as the weather warms up. For example, come summertime, it’s a good idea to periodically inspect the paint and weather stripping on your garage door to ensure it hasn’t cracked or shrunk from the heat or humidity.
In addition to protecting your garage door against damage from heat or moisture, summer garage door maintenance can help you prevent or address numerous other common issues, such as:
- Loose hardware or hinges
- Rusty or clogged tracks
- Failing springs or cables
- Damaged rollers
- An unbalanced or misaligned door
If you notice any of these issues, you should contact a professional for repairs immediately. However, even if you haven’t noticed any of these issues yet, it’s still important to perform some basic inspection and maintenance periodically to ensure problems don’t appear later down the line and catch you unaware.
7 Tips for Garage Door Maintenance in Summer
If you want to keep your garage door in top condition this summer season and beyond, you need to perform proper maintenance. Here are seven key tips to help you properly maintain your garage door this summer:
1. Inspect Electronic Functionalities
First, you should test your garage door’s safety sensors. Make sure the safety sensors are in good working order by testing them with an object such as a broom handle placed between them while they are activated. The sensors should detect the object and prevent the door from closing when it is present.
You should also test your garage door’s remote control. Use your remote control to open and close your garage door several times to make sure that it is functioning properly and responding correctly to commands from your remote control device.
2. Clean Your Garage Door’s Tracks
The tracks of your garage door can accumulate dirt and debris over time, which can cause the door to malfunction.
To clean your garage door’s tracks, first use a cloth or soft brush to remove any visible dirt or debris from the tracks. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to remove any rust or buildup on the tracks — it’s important to use a soft brush that won’t scratch the surface of the tracks. Finally, use a level to check that your garage door’s tracks are properly aligned. If the tracks are misaligned, the door won’t open or close smoothly.
3. Check for Loose Hardware
Your garage door’s hardware may become loose over time, which can cause mechanical failures in the door. It’s a good idea to visually inspect all hinges, bolts, and screws and tighten or replace any damaged or loose hardware as needed. You can also listen for unusual sounds as you open and close your garage door to help you detect any mechanical issues.
4. Lubricate Rollers and Pulleys
Lubricating your garage door’s moving parts can help prevent wear and tear and keep the door running smoothly. To do so, simply apply a silicone-based lubricant to any moving parts — avoid using WD-40 or grease, as these lubricants tend to attract dirt and dust. Remember to apply lubricant sparingly and wipe away any excess as soon as you’re finished.
5. Check Your Garage Door’s Balance
Keeping your garage door in balance is crucial for safety and proper function. To check whether or not your garage door is correctly balanced, begin by disconnecting the automatic opener. Then, use the emergency cord to manually lift the door halfway open. If the door stays in place when you let go, it’s properly balanced — if the door slides one direction or the other on its own, it’s not properly balanced and needs to be adjusted by a professional.
Never try to adjust your garage door’s springs on your own unless you’re positive you know what you’re doing; typically, rebalancing a garage door is not a DIY job.
6. Check External Paint and Weatherproofing
Your garage door’s exterior appearance has a major impact on your home’s curb appeal. It’s important to regularly inspect the paint on your garage door for cracks, chips, or fading (especially if you live in a location with a harsh climate). Repaint the door if necessary to keep it looking its best. You should also take the opportunity to clean any dirt or debris from the surface of the door.
Additionally, check your garage door’s weatherstripping to make sure there are no gaps or leaks. If you locate any damaged weatherstripping, replace it promptly to ensure your garage remains protected from the elements.
7. Schedule Professional Garage Door Inspection and Maintenance
While there are some tasks you can do to maintain your garage door yourself, professional inspections can ensure you catch all potential problems before they become major issues. Plus, you’ll need the assistance of a professional if you discover a significant issue with your garage door such as misalignment or damaged hardware. An experienced garage door technician can help you make informed decisions about repairs and replacements and provide you with peace of mind.
If you’re located in the Atlanta area and you’re in need of garage door maintenance services this summer, contact us. We can help with any kind of garage door maintenance — from simple repairs to full door installation.