TIPS FOR YOUR GARAGE DOOR

·         1. Visually inspect the garage door each month. Look at springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear.

·         2. Wooden garage doors should be cleaned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Generally, they recommend you paint them initially on both the inside and outside and repaint the exterior surface every year or two.

·         3. Lubricate rollers and hinges with a little motor oil (10W30). This should be done every 3 months, based on usage.

·         4. Cleaning your weather seal is also important, again use a mild soap and rinse thoroughly. Lubricating your weather seal with a silicone lubricant will help keep your weather seal flexible and prevents premature wear.

·         5. If you're considering a new garage door, it's important to measure your door opening to determine any special requirements before you shop.

·         6. Check the metal tracks inside the garage. Look at the mounting brackets that hold the tracks to the walls. If they're loose, tighten the bolts or screws at the brackets.

·         7. Working inside the garage with the garage door closed, examine the tracks for dents, crimps, or flat spots. If there are any damaged spots, pound them out with a rubber mallet, or with a hammer and a block of scrap wood.

·         8. Check for loose hardware, and tighten as needed.

·         9. Clean the tracks with concentrated household cleaner to remove dirt and hardened grease.Clean the rollers thoroughly, and wipe both tracks and rollers dry.

·         10. If the tracks do not appear properly aligned, loosen the screws holding the mounting brackets and tap the tracks into position. Make sure to recheck the tracks using the level to make sure the position is correct, and then tighten the screws.

·         11. With swing-up models, inspect the plates where the spring is mounted in order to be sure the screws are tight.

·         12. Check the hinges that hold the sections together on roll-up units.Replace or tighten parts accordingly.

·         13. With roll-up models, the spring on each side is controlled by a cable on a simple pulley system. To adjust, pull the cable farther through the plate above the door and knot the end so as the maintenance the tension.

·         14. If you spend large amounts of time in your garage, you should consider insulating it.

·         15. Lubricate all moving parts using lubricant spray or powdered graphite. Use household oil or silicone spray when dealing with the rollers.

·         16. Take a look at the springs. On swing doors, the spring on each side is hooked into notches or holes. When a tension adjustment is required, move the spring hook to the next hole or notch.

·         17. Installing a new garage door for your home is one of the best ways to increase your curb appeal and increase the value of your home.

·         18. There are several considerations to make before purchasing a garage door including: use, size, style, material, maintenance, safety and durability.

·         19. Choose a garage door that will sustain dents well. This is especially important if you have young children who may play ball and ride bikes near the garage door.

·         20. Taking the time to properly research the numerous garage door options will help ensure that you are choosing the best garage door for your home.