Did you know that maintaining your garage door is something that you should do at least once a year? The purpose of this is to keep it in good working condition for years to come. In addition, proper maintenance will prevent any possible injuries resulting from a malfunction of the door.
Inspect Wear and Tear
Inspect all the moving parts of the door, including the tracks, opener and bolts. Look for excessive dust, metal filings, and worn ball bearings and damaged parts. If you find significant damage, you know that you need to replace the required parts before the proper operation of the door can be commenced. Anyone who is handy around the house can do this with ease with a few simple tools most homeowners have. You may be able to find replacement parts from a home improvement center. In some cases you may need to order replacement parts directly from the manufacturer.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Using a silicone spray lubricant, make sure to lubricate all the moving parts of your door such as: rollers, pulleys, tracks, and hinges. For combination hinge and rollers, make sure to lubricate both the hinges and the rollers. However, don't put too much lubricant because too much lubricant attracts dirt and that accumulation will cause it to stop working properly.
For hinges located in the center of door panels, make sure to lubricate these parts as well. Lubricate them and then retest the door several times to make sure that the lubrication has been evenly distributed. These hinges typically don't have a roller, so make sure proper lubrication is very important.
Check the locking mechanism of the door. You may need to spray lubricant into the keyhole to make sure that it won't gum up. Also, lubricate the latches at each side of the manual door.
Remember, always follow the manufacturer's instructions in terms of adjusting and lubrication. Too much of either can also be detrimental, making it noisy or causing it to malfunction. If you have misplaced your owner's manual, you can easily find a copy online as long as you know the model number of your door. The model number is often found on a label affixed to the inside of the door.
If you have done these things and find that the door is still in need of maintenance, you need to check if the damage is so great that you need a professional to do it. Sometimes, all you need to do is follow a few do-it-yourself tips to get your door back to working in its top shape. However, if you are unsure at any point about what to do, it's better to get professional help rather than risk injuring yourself or destroying the mechanism entirely.
If you have tried unsuccessfully to perform the above steps, or if these steps did not solve your maintenance issue and you need help, try contacting Federal Way Garage Door Repair services and let them assist you with all of your repair needs.