How to Prepare Your Garage for Summer ….
With summer just around the corner, you may want to set aside some time for your garage door. Cleaning and repairing your garage door seasonally is a great habit-it allows you to notice repair issues before they get out of control, and regular maintenance helps lengthen the lifespan of your garage door. Here are some tips to get your overhead door ready for summer.
1. Test the Garage Door
Start your summer maintenance by checking how your garage door is working. Use the automatic opener to open and close the door, and watch it closely for any issues. If it’s moving smoothly, you can go on to the next step.
On the other hand, if you notice uneven movement or jerky starts and stops, that means something needs to be adjusted. The springs may be unbalanced or the tracks may have gone out of alignment. In both cases, a service professional can address the issue and get your overhead door functioning as it should.
2. Lubricate Moving Parts
If the door appears to work fine, take some time to lubricate its moving parts. Without adequate lubrication, the moving parts of your garage door may get stuck more than they should, or friction may damage the parts.
Locate the rollers on your garage door-these are the small “wheels” that are attached to the door and allow it to go up and down the tracks. Before lubricating the rollers, clean the track. A vacuum works to remove large debris, but you may want to wipe down the tracks as well.
Then, apply garage door lubricant directly to the rollers. Don’t apply lubricant to the track. Rather, open and close the door a few times, and some of the lubricants from the roller will gently coat the track.
You may also want to apply lubricant to the hinges on the door itself and to the chain that connects the garage door to the automatic opener.
3. Clean and Seal as Needed
Once everything is working correctly, take some time to clean the door. If you use a pressure washer, put it on a low setting. Too much pressure may damage wood doors or even pockmark metal doors.
Whether you use a gentle pressure washer or just soap and water, clean the garage door from top to bottom. That lets the dirt roll down the door. Remember to thoroughly rinse the door so the soap residue doesn’t form a layer of scum.
In addition, the sun’s hot summer rays can cause unfinished surfaces to fade or blister. If necessary, consider giving your garage door a protective layer after you clean it. For example, wood doors may need to be stained and sealed, and the summer is a great time to do that. In that same vein, metal doors may need new exterior paint.
4. Check the Weather Stripping
Finally, take some time to check the weather stripping on your garage door. Many people believe that weather stripping and insulation are only relevant for keeping out cold air in the winter, but in fact, these elements are critical for keeping out hot air in the summer.
To keep your garage as cool as possible, check your weather stripping. Is it forming a tight seal between your garage door and the floor? If not, you may want to replace it. Also, proper weather stripping helps to keep pests such as cockroaches, spiders, and scorpions out of your garage.
Call H&O Garage Door Services Brooklyn at 718-7106468 for more tips on garage door maintenance, tune-ups and safety inspections. Garage Doors that are not properly maintained can be not only a nuisance but also a safety hazard.