Winter Garage Door Maintenance Checklist
As the cold season slowly takes over, people begin to prepare their homes, cars, and perhaps even themselves for the incoming blanket of snow. Among the various devices that require a little winter preparation is your garage door. Interestingly, most people don’t do anything or even realize how beneficial creating and executing a winter garage door checklist can be.
A well-maintained garage door not only ensures smooth operation during freezing temperatures but also extends its lifespan. In this blog, Garage Door Repairman presents an essential winter maintenance checklist to keep your garage door in top condition.
General Inspection
It’s good to kick off your winter garage door maintenance checklist with a solid general inspection. Firstly, check your garage door for any signs of damage like dents, bending, or broken parts. Next, clear the tracks on either side of the door are free from debris. These issues can worsen over time, especially under the strain of winter conditions. Small dents can often be repaired, but larger damages might require panel or door replacement.
Inspect and Replace Weatherstripping
What is weatherstripping anyway? They are the rubbery parts that go along the sides and bottom of your door. And it plays a vital role in keeping out cold air and moisture. So it’s vital to inspect it for signs of wear or damage. If the weatherstripping is cracked, brittle, or missing (which tends to happen over time), it’s important to replace it. New weatherstripping will seal your garage better, keeping the warmth in and the cold out.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Cold weather can cause the moving parts of your garage door to stiffen, leading to noisy operation and faster wear. A silicone-based lubricant can give the rollers, hinges, tracks, and springs a smoother service to slide your door open and closed.
Check the Door Balance
A garage door that is out of balance puts extra strain on the opener and can even become dangerous. But how exactly can you check? Disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle (usually a red cord) and manually lift the door halfway up. If it doesn’t remain in place, the springs likely need some adjusting.
Tighten Hardware
Like any complex device that uses a variety of components, things get loose over time. In other words, the vibration and movement of a garage door can untighten the bolds. So it’s important to inspect and tighten all roller brackets and bolts. Using a socket wrench to ensure everything is secure will help your garage door run smoothly and reduce the risk of parts coming loose.
Test the Auto-Reverse Features
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like auto-reverse mechanisms. These features are crucial, especially in the winter when objects or snow might block the door’s path. You can test the mechanical feature by placing a piece of wood or a brick on the ground in the path of the door. If the door does not automatically reverse upon hitting the object, it’s time to call a technician.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
There you have it! Garage Door Repairman’s winter garage door maintenance checklist. By following this list, you can ensure that your garage door will run smoothly throughout the winter. Moreover, by giving your garage door some tender love and care, you also increase its general life expectancy.
However, we understand that not everyone is capable (or willing) to handle this maintenance on their own. Heck, some people don’t provide maintain the garage door ever! Yet, the point remains, if you’re trying to maintain your garage door but are unsure how you can always rely on the professional our Garage Door Repairman to handle your winter maintenance checklist.