While most of us use our garage doors daily, we often don't give them much thought unless they break down. However, it's important to maintain this essential component of your home to maximize its lifespan. Although design trends or wanting to renovate your home can motivate you to change your garage door, proper maintenance reduces the need for earlier replacement. Luckily, the industry size for garage door services is currently $318 million, so many technicians are ready to assist you. To help you out, we have come up with some garage door maintenance tasks a professional service can assist you with.

Tighten the Hardware

As you open and close the garage door every day, at some point, the hardware will loosen. If ignored, you risk damaging the door. Once in a while, confirm whether the brackets and bolts are still in place. If not, an expert can help you secure them safely. Whenever you hear a rattling sound, the hardware probably needs tightening.

Lubricate the Movable Parts

One of the most essential garage door maintenance tasks is lubrication. Unfortunately, some homeowners ignore this task. This prevents the door from working smoothly and is a safety risk if neglected. According to our team, it's important that the moving parts like the hinges, rollers, and tracks are lubricated at least twice a year. This task will go a long way in extending your garage door's lifespan.

Wipe the Tracks

Over time, dirt, leaves, grease, and rust will build up along the tracks and block the door's path. The more dirt accumulates, the higher the risk of garage door damage. A service technician can remove all the accumulated obstructions without wiping off the lubrication.

Replace the Weatherstripping

The weatherstripping at the bottom of the door keeps out the cold, dirt, dust, and water. Our team suggests you have it inspected twice a year. If it's brittle or cracked, it's important to have it replaced to prevent debris from getting inside your home.

Test the Door Balance

When your garage door isn't balanced properly, the garage door opener has to work harder to open or close it, meaning it won't last as long. If yours is a pull-down garage door, pull the release handle to disconnect the opener, then lift the door manually halfway through. If you're unsure about this test, call a technician. If the door doesn't remain in place, you may have to have the springs and screws adjusted or get it replaced entirely.

Do you have questions? Contact our team at All Access Garage Doors to learn more about garage door maintenance. We will happily share tips or schedule a visit from a professional who can help keep your garage door in excellent shape.