A garage door can be a safety hazard for anyone who walks under it when it closes. It can also make your home a target for burglars looking to steal your tools, vehicle or possessions.
Garage Door Repair In Round Rock TX wears down over time and require regular maintenance to keep them working well. Performing simple routine maintenance can prevent expensive problems.
Check the Tracks
There isn’t a single part of a home door system that can function without regular maintenance and inspection. Garage doors are no exception. In fact, issues with the springs, pulleys, tracks and safety sensors can lead to expensive repairs if not addressed in time.
Regularly cleaning the tracks is a good way to prevent problems like grinding and screeching. But a professional is needed to make major track adjustments.
Keeping the hinges, rollers and other metal parts properly lubricated will also reduce friction. Be sure to use a silicone or lithium-based lubricant and not engine oil, which can cause damage. Also, be sure to open and close the door after lubricating to ensure that the grease has been spread evenly. It’s a good idea to lubricate every six months.
Clean the Tracks
Your garage door tracks get a lot of wear and tear, and without regular cleaning they can become clogged with dirt and debris. The track rollers need to be able to smoothly glide along the tracks to raise and lower the door. If yours aren’t sliding well, inspect the tracks for any bent sections. Bends that are inward pinch the rollers and cause them to become misaligned with the track. This will prevent your rollers from rolling smoothly and could result in damage to the track or a broken roller.
Clean your tracks with an automotive cleaner (brake cleaner works best) and a rag to remove as much dirt as possible. Wipe the tracks down with a cloth or vacuum to remove the rest. Next, lubricate the tracks with lithium-based garage door lubricant or grease. Avoid using silicone lubricants as they can attract dust and debris.
Lubricate the Drive
A noisy garage door is usually caused by loose hardware or parts that need lubrication. Use a quality garage door spray lubricant such as Clopay ProLube Synthetic Garage Door Lubricant or a similar product to lubricate all the hinges, roller bearings and springs (Photo 5) on your garage door system. This lubricant penetrates the moving parts, dries quickly and resists moisture. This helps reduce friction and extends the life of all moving metal parts.
The top rail that your chain rides on should also be lubricated with an aerosol silicone spray. You should spray down the entire rail and then spread it around with a rag. Be sure to lubricate the bearing plates on either side of the springs as well. This will keep the chain traveling smoothly and quiet.
Test the Opener
Most openers have a built in safety feature that prevents the door from closing and crashing through a person or vehicle. It works by emitting invisible infrared beams that the safety sensors detect. If they are misaligned or out of adjustment the door will not close.
Start by confirming that the green LED on the receiver is lit. If not, clean the lenses on both safety sensors. Next, ensure the brackets holding the sensors have a clear line of sight.
Test the photo eyes by blocking them with something over six inches tall. The door should reverse when it meets the obstruction. If not, the opener may need a professional inspection. It’s important to do this on a regular basis. It could save you from a costly garage door repair bill.
Test the Balance
Your garage door has many springs, pulleys and cables that can lose their tension or break over time. Keeping an eye on their condition and regularly lubricating them helps your door last longer and places less stress on your opener.
To check your garage door balance, disconnect the door from its opener using the emergency release handle and manually lift it up about halfway. If the door is correctly balanced, it will stay in that position, indicating that its springs are providing the necessary support.
If the door drops down immediately, it is out of balance and will need to be rebalanced by a trained professional. Never try to rebalance a garage door yourself, as this can be dangerous. A local garage door repair company will quickly and easily rebalance your door for you.