DIY garage door maintenance may not be high up your list of priorities, but statistics show that as many as 30,000 people are injured each year by automatic garage doors alone. Deaths may be less common, but they do happen!
Garage door repair can seem like a hassle, but it’s important for ensuring the safety of you and your family. It’s also the first thing that most people see when passing your home.
Luckily, we have 4 simple (yet effective) garage door maintenance tips that will help you keep on top of things. Read on to find out more!
#1 – Clean and Paint
Your garage door is constantly exposed to the elements throughout the year: wind, rain, hail, snow, high temperatures, and low temperatures. When Mother Nature isn’t battering your door, it faces scratches, dents, and bumps from people and animals.
Luckily, DIY garage door maintenance tips can be incredibly simple, such as cleaning and painting.
Also Read: How To Repaint A Wood Door
Wash the door with detergent to remove any grime or dirt. Once it’s dry, give your door a fresh coat of paint (or two). White doors are a common color, but marks show up more easily. Consider going for red, blue, or green.
#2 – Observation Is Key
Check your garage door regularly for any minor problems, including with the garage door opener.
When your garage door opens, is it smooth or does it catch on something? Does it make scratching or screeching sounds when it opens/closes? Does it hang evenly, or does it look squint?
You need to check your garage door rollers frequently as well – at least twice a year. Replace them at least once every 10 years. Roller durability varies depending on the material (nylon and steel are common), but none are immune to wear and damage.
Spotting garage door problems early on will make them easier (and cheaper) to fix.
#3 – Oil and Rust
The most common garage door problems can be easily avoided with a bit of oil. Once every few months, you should oil any moving parts or joints to keep them from rusting and catching.
Using stainless steel or galvanized metal for your bolts, hinges, and any other metal components can reduce the impact of rust.
It’s also important that you remove any rust. You can scrape the rust off and then apply a rust treatment spray to help prevent any further deterioration.
If your door has sustained heavy damage or excessive levels of rust, it’s possible that it needs replacement parts (or a whole new door or opener).
#4 – Tighten Things Up
The last of our garage door maintenance tips is something you should aim to do every couple of months. On average, your door will open more than 1,500 times a year, which means some parts are constantly being pulled, pushed, and strained.
You must check any screws, bolts, and hinges to make sure everything is tight. Spending 5-10 minutes on your garage door with a screwdriver and wrench can reduce the chances of anything falling off.
Want More Garage Door Maintenance Tips?
Did you find these garage door maintenance tips helpful? Frequent checks and repairs can reduce garage door problems and improve its lifespan.
Also Read: 3 Stunning Garage Door Design Trends
Check out some of our other resources for decorating a small house, including ‘8 things to consider when purchasing a new home’ and ’how cleaning your home can benefit your mental health.