Garage Door Maintenance Checklist: Protect Your Investment

Your garage is more than a space to park your car. It’s a part of your home that adds value to your property. You can use it as a storage space, as a workshop, or even use it as a quiet place to sit and read. Whatever you do with it, having your garage in top condition is essential.

Proper and regular maintenance of your garage, including your garage door, will boost your home’s curb appeal and ensure its safety. For this, follow some simple and effective garage door maintenance tips. 

Confused about where to start? We’ve got your back! In this guide, we’ll give you a checklist of ways to protect your garage door!

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When Should You Do Garage Door Maintenance? 

Maintaining a garage door might seem like a big hassle at first. But making sure your garage door has no wear and tear, or any other form of damage, will increase the lifespan of the door. This implies no costly repairs or replacements.

In fact, a well-maintained and good-quality garage door can last up to 30 years! That’s why it’s important to spot issues with your garage door early on and take quick action immediately. Let’s go through some of the signs to look out for and detect a malfunctioning garage door.

• Sagging: Open your door halfway. If it does not remain fixed on the respective parts of the plate, the springs are unbalanced.
• Unusual noises: Squeaking, grinding, or rattling sounds are sometimes the signs of loose hardware or worn-out parts of the equipment.
• Warped: When your garage door appears as if it is not properly installed and bent, it could be warped. This is especially the case with wooden doors that are exposed to moisture. Warping compromises the door’s shutters and allows cold air to penetrate, and pests such as ants and termites to enter.
• Rust Spots: In most cases, signs of rust mean that the garage door needs some maintenance. Rust compromises the door structure and if not treated, it has high chances of spreading quickly. Check for rust especially around hinges and any other parts that join the door and the hinges.
• Shaking: Violent shaking in a door generally signifies that the door has some screws that are loose, the track is damaged, or the rollers are worn out.

If you see these signs while operating your garage door, be ready to call a garage door company in Sacramento, CA, for a maintenance check. Maintaining your garage door at least twice a year will ensure it is functioning optimally.

Garage Door Maintenance Tips

To increase the efficiency of your garage door, you can perform the following tasks listed here.

1. Regularly Check on and Oil the Tracks and Other Metal Parts  

To maintain the tracks of the garage door, follow the tips given below:

• Wipe the tracks with a wet cloth as it helps to remove the dust and grease on the tracks properly.  
• Apply an aerosol-free oil (30W or less) on rollers, hinges, and springs. But avoid over-lubricating!  
• Check screws or bolts on hinges, brackets, and handles, and then tighten them up as required.  

You’ll be surprised to know that your garage door opens more than 1,500 times a year! So, to help reduce friction and avoid wear and tear, you’ll need to lubricate the parts properly.

If you have a torsion spring or a lift cable, seek the service of a professional. These parts are considered to be under high tension and should be handled carefully and with safety tools.  

2. Check and Replace Weather Stripping

Weatherstripping prevents air infiltration, moisture, and pests from entering the house. Weatherstripping also prevents the loss of heat in the garage and saves on energy bills. But over time, it can crack or tear. To keep it functioning:

1. Check the seals, which may be located on the sides, beneath the door, and on top of the door.  
2. You can replace damaged strippings with new ones.  

3. Clean and Maintain the Door’s Finish 

When your garage door has degraded over time, follow the steps given below:

• Clean the door with soap and a sponge in a circular motion from the bottom to the top.  
• Look for paint deterioration, cracks, blistering or peeling of paint, or rust.    Smooth out scratches or other flaws to avoid trapping moisture on the surface.  
• Do not use a pressure washer or any chemicals (to prevent damage).  

4. Test the Door’s Balance  

Unfortunately, garage doors are responsible for thousands of injuries! It can be a minor cut or a severe injury like crushed fingers. Maintenance is, therefore, important to ensure your family’s safety. To check the door’s balance: 

• Open the door in such a way that it is open at an angle of 70 degrees with the floor.  
• If it does not remain fixed in its position, then it is clear that the springs are unbalanced.  

If you find any issues with the door’s balance, call for professional garage door services in Sacramento.

5. Inspecting rollers and Openers

To check if your garage door’s rollers are performing well, you can do the following:

• Check rollers for cracks or wear. Replace damaged ones promptly.  
• Avoid friction on the opener chain by lubrication with lithium grease.  

You can perform the basic cleaning and inspecting process at regular intervals to avoid severe damage or frequent replacement of your garage door. However, for a better outcome, always rely on a garage door technician.

How Can Garage Door Maintenance Increase Your Property’s Resale Value

When you replace your garage door, the cost can exceed $4,000. But don’t worry—we have some good news for you! When you maintain the door properly, the resale value of your property will increase by around  $8,751 (as per reports of 2024). 

This means the cost recouped would be around 193.9%. This is one of the highest ROIs for home improvements! Naturally, it is one of the important reasons to ensure proper servicing of your garage door.

Read More About:

• Common Garage Door Security Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Can Garage Door Insulation Lower My Energy Bills?
• Garage Door Repair VS Replace – What Should You Choose?

 

Takeaway

By taking the help of a garage door maintenance checklist and following routine maintenance, you’ll have an optimally functioning door that lasts for a long time. Your garage door deserves the same care and attention as the rest of your home. So, boost your property value and avoid costly repairs down the line by hiring a professional garage door company, to get a maintenance check today!

Is Your Garage Door Giving You Trouble? Keep Your Garage Door Working Smoothly with Eudy Door!

When it comes to garage door servicing and repair, trust our experts at Eudy Door to provide you with the ultimate solution for all your needs. We are the best garage door company in Sacramento, CA, and we will solve all your garage door problems quickly and efficiently. 

We have over 40 years of experience in providing garage door services in Sacramento. From broken spring repair to door panel repair, we have solutions for every garage door problem. We also offer garage door installation. 

Choose our services to forget all your garage door worries! Call us now at (916) 387-8664 for a free consultation!