Garage Door Repair Chino Hills, CA ? It may be spring time, but summer in SoCal is quickly approaching! With the rain and cold weather soon out of the picture, it is time to get those Garage Door Maintenance checks done!
Winter’s chill can be rough on garage doors. Some repairs and touch ups may be needed, on the inside as well as out.
As fine as you think your garage door is, checking the parts, cleaning, and repairing slight damages can save you tons of money later on. Here are some everyday tips to keep your garage door in tip-top shape for the coming summer months.
1. Spring Cleaning
Garages have never been known for being the cleanest area of a home. It’s where your car, tools, and old boxes/supplies are stored. Over time these collect dust, dirt and greasy residue. And that’s
just the interior. The outside of the door that is exposed to the world will be even more filthyl. You will want to wash your garage door, both inside and out. Add a thin layer of car wax to both sides of the door as well. This prevents greasy build-up. If you have a wooden garage door, rotting is also a risk. Adding a fresh coat of paint and water sealant on both sides of the door prevent rot from occurring. If rot does occur and spreads, you will need to replace your garage door altogether! If you have a steel door, inspect it for rust. Sand down any rust you find and paint it over with a zinc primer.
2. Lubrication
Lubricate all moving, metal parts (hinges, tracks, rollers) as well as the weather-stripping and the garage door opener’s track. Steer clear of oils like WD-40. Instead, use a lubricant oil that is exclusive to garage door use. Also, be sure not to use too much oil. Thick layers of oil will accumulate dust and dirt, eventually wearing out the parts. When lubricating the weather-stripping, use silicone-based lubricant.
3. Check for weathering
First, check the garage door cables. Do they look frayed or worn? If so, replace them immediately by contacting your local garage door company. Do NOT attempt to replace the garage cables yourself unless you are a professional. This can be very dangerous. Make sure the ball-bearings, hinges, supports and rods are in good shape as well. If you encounter any damage or loose parts, fix it immediately to avoid a hefty repair bill later on!
4. Tighten the Bolts
Ensure none of the bolts at the back of the track are loose. This is just as much a safety concern as it is a maintenance concern. You do not want your garage door to fall and cause damage to your car or hurt someone.
5. Check your Springs
Ensure the garage door springs are rust free. Springs can and inevitably do break, no matter how well you maintain them. Keeping them rust-free, though, will lengthen their life as well as improve their performance. When a spring snaps, it can fling itself across the garage due to high tension levels. Some springs have a protective covering on them, like the ones pictured. For these types, you won’t have to worry about maintenance. When and if you do need to replace your spring, don’t do it yourself. Make sure a professional handles this for you. Lastly, check the springs’ tension by activating the emergency release on the door while closed. Then, lift the door to about waist height. If the door closes, the spring tension is too low. If the door shoots open, the springs tension is too high. Your goal is to create a perfectly balanced garage door.
6. Weather-Stripping/Insulation
Clean or replace any damaged weather-stripping and insulation panels. These two things keep the garage dry and protected from outside conditions. They also maintain the climate inside of your garage.