Got chipped paint, rust, holes, or cracks on your garage door? That’s not a cute look. You might have gone out of the house one morning to get the paper, saw it, and thought I’ll get to that, but never did.
Putting things aside is a trap. It all starts with putting off retouches on the exterior, then it extends to the functioning parts of your garage door. You don’t give it a second thought until it stops working altogether.
A Worn Out Exterior
A part of your garage door is exposed to the elements, which makes it bound look stripped down and worn out eventually. If your garage door needs a repaint, better rust preventive measures,
A well-kept and well-maintained garage door helps with the curb appeal. It’s especially helpful in raising your home’s appraisal value.
Rusty and Noisy
It’s inevitable that your garage door’s tracks and hinges will need some lubricant to function properly. Your garage door will wear over time as multiple moving parts will cause friction. It might even lead to a big amount of damage.
For a smoother experience and longer use lube whenever necessary. Ask your local residential garage door service provider for advice on which lubricant is best for your garage door.
Unlubricated moving parts can jam and get rusty over time, but it hurts the facade too. A common part of the door that rusts first is the outer part, specifically, the lower panel. Aside from this side being exposed to the sun, rain, and snow, the bottom panel is nearest to the ground where corrosive materials are. These include soil, rocks, and sand. Rust will soon eat away at the metal, making holes.
Leaving It Perpetually Open
If you leave it open all the time, it’ll gather dust and stiffen moving mechanisms. Don’t forget that your door is ten times heavier than you are. The disassemble and repair would need the right tools and the right people for the job. To add to that, security gets lax. Don’t get too comfortable leaving it too long, too often, and by itself.
Broken and Missing Parts
This is the finish line of neglect. Your garage door has lost its functionality and has stopped working altogether. This isn’t just a headache, but a sore spot for the wallet too. Repairs will always be more costly than repairs. More than ever now, manufacturers experience a 5 % increase in raw parts and materials.
But for the sake of safety, it’s something that should call for immediate action. There might even be missing screws and bolts on the tracks and rollers. Disjoined hardware that you’ve been meaning to rectify, but never did. However, when it comes to the spring, cable, and other related parts, be sure to leave it to the experts.
Apply the Necessary Preventive Measures
Before it gets any worse, see to it that you start applying the best practices in caring for your garage door.
Practice Routine Inspections and Maintenance
You can start by having routine inspections followed by maintenance. This way you can check and see what your garage door needs and act on it right away. In connection to this, you get to see which parts need replacing. Parts like the spring have a life span for use. On average, a garage door spring has a life span of 10,000 cycles, which may last up to 5 to 10 years depending on how often you use it in a day.
Check the Controls
If you use your garage door on a daily basis, you’ll quickly discover whether it’s still responsive or not. It’s important to realize that garage door controllers have a life span too. They can last longer than intended, but sometimes the opposite can happen as well. Ask your manufacturer for more information about it. Ask how to troubleshoot it in case of problems and how you can help prolong its use.
Clean Your Garage Door Annually
With changing seasons, your garage door is bound to collect dust and grime. It’s recommended not to clean it in an abrasive way such as using a pressure washer. Clean your garage door twice a year, and with a cloth and soap. This will preserve its finish, prevent rust, and make it look clean.
Tighten any loose bolts, screws, and hardware to reduce any malfunction and accidents. If it’s too technical and complicated for a screwdriver alone, it’s best to call a professional so it can be fixed the right way and ASAP.