Spring Garage Door Maintenance Checklist: Keep It Running

We take for granted our garage door until it stops working. Typically, your garage door opens and closes as usual, and then it begins squealing and creaking when you’re leaving for work. When the spring season arrives, it’s time to give the old garage door system some much-needed maintenance. Weather conditions, temperature fluctuations, and everyday use cause strain on all the moving parts on your garage door.

A little maintenance today saves expensive garage door repairs tomorrow. This simple garage door maintenance checklist helps you keep it running smoothly and quietly for the rest of the year.

Spring Garage Door Maintenance Checklist: Keep It Running Smooth All Year

Take A Closer Look—Inspect for Problems Before They Become Big Issues

Before you open the toolbox or start going HAM with that can of lubricant spray, take a step back. Do a visual inspection and assess the situation. Even slight damage can affect the door’s normal operation.

Does it close level?
Are there cracks, dents, or signs of warping?

Regular garage door inspections help catch small issues before they turn into costly repairs, extending the lifespan of your door.

Reduce Noise, Friction, and Wear and Tear with a Little Lubrication

Nothing can kill a garage door faster than metal grinding on metal. To maintain your garage door system properly, rollers, hinges, and springs need a little help to keep them moving freely.

We highly recommend using a silicone or white lithium-based lubricant on your garage door. The door doesn’t need much; just a quick spray on the rollers, hinges, and springs is all it takes to improve its functionality.

We DO NOT recommend the use of WD40, this product has no business being applied to your garage door parts. WD-40 attracts dust, and the debris buildup will damage the door.

Testing Door Balance—The Opener Shouldn’t Carry It All

An unbalanced garage door makes the motor work harder, causing it to burn out prematurely. When the garage door springs aren’t performing correctly, the motor must lift unnecessary weight beyond its rated capacity. This will cause components to wear out or break.

Checking the balance is easy. Let go of the emergency release cord to disconnect the opener and raise the door about halfway. If it doesn’t move, the door is properly balanced. If it suddenly slams shut or shoots upward, the springs need adjustment.

Ensure The Auto-Reverse Feature Works Properly

New garage doors have a safety feature that automatically halts and reverses the door if it comes in contact with your car. Testing the garage door safety sensor is simple. Place a solid object, like wood, in front of the door and press close. The garage door opener should be adjusted if it doesn’t reverse and stop when it hits it.

The sensors might be dirty or out of alignment. A simple sensor cleaning and realignment should resolve the problem. This is one of the most important garage door safety features for protecting your family and pets.

Please advise children & pets to be extremely careful when in the garage, as the garage doors can be extremely heavy.

Keep Garage Door Tracks Clean—Dirt and Dust Are Troublemakers

You don’t need to lubricate the tracks, but you do need to keep them clean. Check your garage door tracks for dirt and debris. Friction adds to the force required when opening the door. You can easily wipe away most buildup using a wet cloth to ensure smooth operation.

If it’s sticking or running unevenly on the tracks, look for dents in the tracks or misaligned rollers. Catching these issues early helps prevent costly garage door repairs.

Take Action Now: Garage Door Maintenance Tips and Checklist

Don’t slack on regular maintenance. The door won’t fix itself. Preventative maintenance ensures that the garage door system runs smoothly and works properly.

If you don’t have the know-how or skills to do it yourself, hire a professional garage door technician. They will give the door a good once-over in the spring. It might cost a few bucks, but it’s cheaper than replacing the door when it seizes.

Empire Garage Doors of Naples

Don’t let garage door issues disrupt your daily life. Contact us to restore your garage door’s functionality and enhance your home’s curb appeal and security.

Empire Garage Doors offers a wide range of hurricane-impact-rated garage doors to meet every customer’s needs. Our doors are built with the highest quality standards and backed by industry-leading warranties, including optional lifetime hardware. With our expert technical knowledge and exceptional customer service, you can trust Empire Garage Doors to deliver superior products and service.