As the weather starts to get cold in the Boise, ID, area, now is the perfect time to focus on year-end garage maintenance. As a homeowner, there are several things you can do to prepare your garage for the long winter ahead. We here at Legacy Garage Doors can also assist with professional maintenance and repairs.
Visual Inspection
Visually inspect your garage door for any signs of damage or concerns. While certain dents and scratches may seem cosmetic, they can compromise the overall integrity of your garage door. They should be repaired prior to the end of the year, when freezing temperatures and precipitation can lead to rust and other issues.
Avoid repairing or maintaining certain parts of your garage door that could pose a safety risk. This includes springs, tracks, and rollers.
Lubricating Key Components
There are certain parts on your garage door that must be lubricated routinely. This will allow for the door to move smoothly up and down. This will also protect components from wear and tear caused by friction. You may also find that your garage door sounds quieter after it has been lubricated.
Tightening Hardware and Connections
Nuts and bolts should all be checked to see if they’re loose. It’s necessary to tighten these pieces of hardware, as they tend to loosen up over time as your garage door is used. This hardware can also corrode or become damaged with use and should be replaced if necessary.
Checking If Your Door is Balanced
Your garage door must remain balanced to move up and down freely. This will also prevent damage to the tracks and other related parts. To check the balance of your garage door, disconnect it from the opener (if you have one). Close or open the door to the halfway point. If the door doesn’t move at all, then it’s adequately balanced. If the door falls closed on its own, it is not appropriately balanced and should be serviced.
Checking the Function of Safety Sensors
Your garage door opener likely came with safety sensors that are installed on each side of your garage door. If anything is in the way of these sensors connecting, the door will not close. This is to prevent injury. If either of these sensors is moved from their original position, they will not line up with one another. This can indicate to your door that something is in the way, even if there is not. Repositioning the sensors is all that’s needed to fix the problem.
You can test your safety sensors by pressing the button on your garage door opener. Place your hand in front of the sensor light on one of the units to see if the door stops moving. It should also start to move back up to its original location. If it doesn’t stop, you may have malfunctioning sensors that require garage door repair.
Scheduling Professional Service
It’s imperative that you have an experienced professional come to your home towards the end of the year to inspect and service your garage door. However, this maintenance can be done any time of year. Our goal here at Legacy Garage Doors is to ensure that your garage door is safe but also provides you with convenience for many more years to come.
If you suspect that your garage door is malfunctioning in between inspections, reach out to us right away. Signs of garage door issues include things like loud banging or clanking sounds, a door that is visibly uneven, a door that doesn’t close completely, an opener malfunctioning, a broken spring, and even damaged weatherstripping around your garage door. This material is designed to keep pests out of your garage. Winter is the time of year when they try to gain entry to escape the harsh winter elements.
If you would like to schedule year-end garage maintenance in the Boise area, reach out to our team at Legacy Garage Doors. We also offer the installation of new garage doors, emergency repairs, garage door openers, and commercial garage door service.
Contact Legacy Garage Doors today to find out more.
