A garage door is a very important part of a garage. It not only safe guards our property from forceful entry but also keeps all the items inside the garage safe from buglers. This is why it is essential that the maintenance and proper inspection of the garage doors be done regularly i.e. on a monthly basis.
There are some simple inspection and maintenance tips that one should be acquainted with. Here are some of the tips.
Maintenance and inspection tips that you should know
Here are some of the tests and maintenance that should be done to a garage door:
a) Door balance test.
If you have a door that is equipped with the automated opener system, close the garage door and then disconnect the opener. Lift the door manually, it should lift automatically without any resistance and remain open. In case of any difficulties, get a service technician to repair the door for you.
b) Reversing mechanism test.
Garage door openers are required by the federal law to feature reverse mechanisms, edge or photo eye sensors as safety measures so as to prevent any entrapment. If your door opener does not have these features, a replacement is recommended.
c) Visual inspection.
-Check the springs, rollers, cables, hardware and pulleys to look for any signs of wear and tear. In case anything looks rusty, broken or worn down, call a technician for a service.
-Avoid repairing cables or springs without training. The parts can cause injuries or harm due to high tension.
-Ensure that there is a safety cable on every extension spring.
-Do not adjust, loosen or remove screws at the door bottom.
d) Lubrication
All garage doors require proper lubrication. It keeps the doors working with a lot of ease. Well, it is advisable that you lubricate your door with silicon based sprays. Do not lubricate the plastic bearings or rollers.
e) Door Balance
Let us start with a closed door. In case you have a garage door opener, use its release mechanism to effectively operate the door using your hand. However, you should be in a position to lift the garage door smoothly without any resistance. In addition, the door should open 3-4 feet above ground level, otherwise, it requires adjustments.
f) Routine safety tests.
It is advisable that you set aside some time every month for routine tests on your garage door. Review the manual for the door opener otherwise you can call the serial number on the power unit for guidelines.
Verify that the opener possesses a reverse feature and test the door balance including the force settings of the opener by simply holding the door bottom it is closing.
g) Force setting
With the door ajar, push the opener transmitter or the wall button to close the garage door. As it is closing, hold up the door button with hands stiff and outstretched. If the garage door does not effectively reverse and continue closing, immediately pull away your hands. Its closing force will be so excessive and can harm you. Call a technician to service the door for you for effective and continuous operation of the door.
A routine inspection and maintenance of the garage door is very essential for the continuous operation of the door. With such tips such as lubrication, force setting test, door balance test and visual inspection, your garage door will continue to operate for quite a long time. Try these tips and keep your garage door working always.
