Your home’s garage door sees a lot of use every day: on average, it opens and closes as many as 10 times per day. Considering that a typical installation can cost thousands of dollars, all that wear and tear can become very costly over the time you live in your house. This is why it’s important to perform preventive maintenance on your door whenever needed. Keeping all its parts and components in good working order ensures it will continue to operate as reliably as possible for as long as it can. This saves you money, time and frustration in the long run because you won’t have to worry about unexpected breakdowns or scheduling expensive repairs. With that in mind, here are some of the most important maintenance tips you can use to keep your garage door in prime condition.

Keep It Lubricated

Rollers make it easy for your garage door to open and close, but not if they’re hindered by excessive friction. If these and other parts are dried out, the stress of them moving against each other can cause them to wear down faster than normal. The solution for this is simple, however. At least twice a year, you should spray your rollers and hinges with a lubricant such as WD-40. After wiping away the excess, these elements should move much more smoothly and quietly than before. 

Clean the Tracks

The tracks that run alongside your garage door can accumulate a lot of dirt and old grease over time. This can impact how well the door opens and closes, as well as how noisy it can be. Use a rag to wipe away any gunk that may have built up inside the tracks. If there are any spots of rust, clean them with a wire brush. This would also be a good time to inspect the tracks to make sure they run straight along their vertical sections. 

Replace the Weatherstripping 

Along the bottom edge of your garage door should be a length of rubber weatherstripping meant to keep water and cold air from entering underneath it. If it’s missing or deteriorating, your garage can become dirtier and vulnerable to freezing. If you have a wooden door, weatherstripping is nailed to the bottom. If not, it slides into a groove along the underside. 

Keep It Clean and Freshly Painted

A clean garage door featuring a fresh coat of paint does more than just improve the curb appeal of your property — it also does a lot to protect it from the elements and damage from the sun. Use your garden hose and detergent to wash away dirt and debris from the surface, then remove any chipped or peeling paint before sanding it down and repainting it. This helps protect it from rust, water damage, dry rot and more.

These are just a few DIY jobs you can do to help keep your garage door in good shape. Of course, having professionals come to provide garage services, including repairs and inspections, is another important step for getting the most out of your door. Paying attention to your garage door means you can expect a long lifespan of worry-free performance from it. 

partnered post • image by midjourney