Taking Care of Your Garage Doors

If you happen to have a garage and you have an automatic system in place where you can open and close the garage doors with a push of a button, then you may not be aware of how important it is for you to take care of them. You also may not be aware of how to take care of them. If you keep your doors properly serviced, you won't have to worry about needing any major repairs or replacements later on. This will help to keep everyone in your home safe from injury.

It is important that you inspect your garage doors on a regular basis. You are looking for parts and mechanisms that may be falling apart or damaged. If you find any parts that are in need of service, they need to be replaced before you start using those doors again. If you are mechanically inclined, you could purchase the right replacement parts and make the repairs yourself or you could just contact a repair company and have them fix it for you.

Even though you can save some money if you are knowledgeable about repairs, a specialist is trained and experienced in dealing with this type of situation. It is better to have a professional do the repairs, since garage doors have mechanisms that use a lot of force and tension, which can result in personal injury if you do not know what you are doing.

Make sure that you remember to lubricate the moving parts of your garage doors on a regular basis. You can find the proper lubricant at hardware and home improvement stores. Make sure that the lubricant you purchase is in spray form with a wand applicator. The following areas need special attention: combination hinges, rollers, regular hinges, door panels, and lock mechanisms.

When you apply lubricant to help ease the friction between the parts, keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Lubricant also helps to keep those mechanisms clean and prevent unnecessary erosion. If you use too much, you will only end up with more dirt that will accumulate and interfere with the integrity of your doors. Once you apply lubricant, make sure you operate the door a few times to help evenly distribute the lubrication.

If you use a lock, don't forget to spray the locking mechanism on your garage doors. You need to lubricate the keyhole and use your key to help the lubricant spread evenly. Do both sides of the doors.

Before you do any maintenance, make sure that you consult your manufacturer's manual for any special instructions and requirements. If you can't find those details or you are having trouble locating your manual, you could search online or just hire a technician to come out and provide the service that you need.

Remember, always use extreme caution when operating any mechanical devices. Wear safety equipment and short sleeves so that your clothing does not get caught on any parts.