Garage Door Repair in Visalia: How to Maintain Your Door
Mornings can be a hectic time for many families, especially if there are younger kids that need to be properly fed, clothed, and driven to school. It’s safe to say that the last thing you want to deal with is a malfunctioning garage door. According to many technicians who provide garage door repair in Visalia, people won’t notice these issues in the early morning when everyone begins to use it. That is why it is highly recommended to make sure that you are servicing the door every few weeks, but how do you do that? Read on to learn about 10 tips for maintaining your garage door.
1. Why Companies That Provide Garage Door Repair in Visalia Recommend Lubrication
Because a garage door seems like a fairly simple machine, most homeowners don’t realize that it actually needs a good amount of lubrication to keep it functioning properly. Although your garage door will be lubricated at the time that a garage door repair in Visalia is being performed, it does not last forever. In fact, issues begin to arise when your lubrication has begun to dry out. Two of the most common issues will include loud metallic noises and the stuttering of your door as it moves down the tracking system. That is why tip number one is to make sure that your tracks and chains are being lubricated at least once a year.
2. Keep Your Hardware Tight
No matter how lightweight your garage door may be, the fact is that it’s still going to require some power to move it. All the garage components are working hard to make sure that your door is properly moving up and down as well as being held safely when in place. This constant movement can take a toll on the hardware that makes up the garage system, and thus things begin to loosen up. Therefore, it is important to closely look around your garage and begin tightening any loose bolts that you may see. You’re likely to need to tighten bolts when your garage door begins to make rattling noises.
3. Balancing Your Garage Door
If your door becomes unbalanced, your garage door opener will begin to have to push out more energy, thus placing greater stress on it. As you may already know, a machine that is constantly running at a higher capacity than it was meant for will not last too long. To ensure that your door is properly balanced, you first need to disconnect it from your opener. You can do this by pulling the red string, aka release handle. To test out if the door is properly balanced, all you need to do is open it halfway. If the door is staying in place without your help, then that means that it’s properly balanced.
4. Testing Your Auto-Reverse Safety System
Today, many door opener manufacturers implement various safety technology into their machines, with one of those being the auto-reverse safety system. This safety measure is added to avoid having small pets or children from being crushed by a closing door. The auto-reverse does exactly what the name suggests; it auto reverses when it senses someone or something within its path. To test your auto-reverse system, place a small box at the center of your door and observe if the system is detecting it as well as beginning to reverse.
5. Wooden Garage Door Cracking
Wooden garage doors make a great addition to a home. Not only are they incredibly beautiful, but they are sought after by homebuyers. However, they are also very difficult to maintain as wood contracts and expands throughout the year. One of the issues that you may run into is the cracking of the door. If the damage is not too severe, you may simply add wooden filler and paint over the crack.
6. Cleaning Your Garage Door Tracks
As you open and close your door, things such as dirt and other debris make their way into your garage space, particularly on your tracks. This can not only harm the lubrication, but it can also make your opener work harder to move your door up and down the tracks. That is why it is highly recommended to take the time to remove any debris, especially after a strong wind or thunderstorm.
7. Make Sure Your Cables Are in Good Condition
One of the most dangerous things that can occur is a cable snapping off. This is because it can cause the door to come smashing down onto the ground. That is why it is important to look at your cables at least once a month to ensure that they are in good condition. If they are damaged, you should call in a Bakersfield garage door repairs company as they can be very dangerous to deal with on your own.
8. Clean off Your Eye Sensor
If your garage door can be opened and closed with a remote, you will have to keep your sensors clean. The eye sensor is what allows the signal from your remote to tell the opener above to begin moving up or down the garage door. However, if the sensor is dirty, it’s not likely to properly pick up the signal. Using a soft cloth, wipe down the sensor every few weeks.
9. Properly Inspect Your Rollers
The rollers are what allow your door to smoothly move up and down the tracks. However, normal wear and tear can cause them to crack or simply not be as effective. That is why it is imperative that you take the time at least once or twice a year to check them. If they are severely damaged, you may contact a Bakersfield garage service company to begin the process to repair them.
10. Install & Replace Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is an incredibly important part of a garage door as it helps to keep out the outside elements. This not only helps you protect your pocketbook from high energy bills but also keeps the small critters away from entering your home. However, that is only possible when you are keeping an eye on their condition. If they seem dry and cracked, then it is time to have them replaced.
