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Garage Door Maintenance Tips for the Fall

Garage Door Maintenance Tips for the Fall

As fall comes to St. George, Utah, your garage door must deal with new problems. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we understand the importance of fall maintenance to prevent expensive repairs and ensure the longevity of your door.After more than 40 years in business, we know that a bit of care now can pay off big in the long run. Let’s explore why fall garage door maintenance is so essential.

Why Fall Maintenance is Critical for Your Garage Door?

Your door will be ready for cooler temperatures, more moisture, and the added stress of storing holiday ornaments and tools with fall maintenance. It will make your home safer, use less energy, and look better from the street.

Regular maintenance ensures efficient function and helps to prevent expensive fixes. By taking care of issues now, you’ll save time and money while keeping your home safe and cozy all season.

Visual Inspection:

The first step in fall maintenance is a careful eye check. We recommend carefully inspecting the inside and outside of your garage door for any signs of damage or wear that may have happened over the summer.

Examining door panels:

Your first step should be inspecting the door plates. Check for any rusty areas, cracks, or dents. Even minor issues can get worse over time, especially when the weather changes in the fall and winter months. If you spot any damage, you should fix it right away to prevent further decline.

Inspecting hardware:

Next, check every piece of gear. Look for signs of wear or looseness on the hinges. You should check the rollers to ensure they are not worn out or stuck. Ensure the tracks are clean and free of debris, dents, or other problems. It’s essential to find any issues early because these small parts play a significant role in the smooth operation of your door.

Cleaning Your Garage Door:

Regular garage door cleaning is crucial to garage door maintenance, especially as we enter fall.

Removing debris and dirt buildup:

First, clean up any dirt and debris around your garage door. Fallen leaves, spider webs, and any dirt accumulation are all examples. Pay close attention to the bottom of the door and the areas around the weather stripping, where debris frequently gathers.

Proper cleaning techniques and solutions:

We recommend using a mix of mild soap and water to clean the door itself. Do not use strong chemicals on the door because they could damage the finish.

Pay close attention to dirty areas, and gently wipe the surface with a soft cloth or towel. A non-abrasive home cleaner can eliminate spots that won’t come out. Remember to thoroughly rinse and dry the door to prevent water spots or potential rusting.

Weatherproofing: Sealing Gaps and Improving Insulation

As fall comes to St. George, it’s essential to ensure your garage door is properly weatherproofed. Because we work at Mehr’s Garage Doors, we know how important it is to have a properly secured door. Let’s explore each important step for weatherproofing.

Checking for light and air gaps:

Start by turning off the lights inside and closing the garage door on a sunny day. Carefully find a spot where light can pass through. Cold air, moisture, and even bugs can get through these gaps. The sides and bottom of the door are more likely to get gaps over time, so pay extra attention to those areas.

Applying weatherstripping and caulk:

Once you know where the gaps are, it’s time to fill them in. If the rubber seal on the bottom of the door is worn or broken, we often recommend replacing it. Put good weatherstripping along the sides and top to make a tight seal.

A good silicone glue works wonders for small cracks or gaps in the frame. This easy step can significantly improve the insulation of your garage, keeping it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Lubrication: Keeping Moving Parts Running Smoothly

Proper lubrication is essential for keeping your garage door running smoothly, especially now that St. George’s temperatures are dropping. Mehr’s Garage Doors stresses this step because it can prevent wear and tear on the door and increase its lifespan.

Which parts to lubricate?

The hinges, rollers, and springs are the parts of your door that move. Remember the opener’s arm bar and rail. It is important to remember, though, that you shouldn’t grease the track itself. Putting lubricant on the track can make dirt stick and build-up, making things worse instead of better.

Recommended lubricants and application methods

We recommend using white lithium grease or a silicone lubricant. These work well at different temperatures and won’t get gunky like oil lubricants do. Put a small amount of them on each moving part.

It only takes a little to make a difference here. To prevent dirt from building up after application, wipe off any extra. Remember that too much or too little lubrication can be harmful.

Testing Door Balance and Alignment:

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we understand the importance of having a well-balanced garage door for efficiency and longevity. Now that fall is coming to St. George, it’s time to check your door’s balance and placement.

How to check if your door is properly balanced?

You can do this easy test: Disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle around. Then, open the door by hand about halfway up. It should stay in place if it’s balanced right. You should check to see if the door falls back down or shoots up to the top. This mismatch adds stress to your opener, which can cause earlier wear and tear.

Adjusting spring tension (professional service recommended):

Adjusting spring tension is not a do-it-yourself project, but checking the balance is. Garage door springs are powerful and can be dangerous if not treated properly.

That’s why we always recommend hiring pros for this job, like our team at Mehr’s Garage Doors. We have the right tools and expertise to adjust the tension of your door springs safely to ensure the best performance and safety.

Inspecting and Maintaining the Garage Door Opener:

Your garage door opener works hard every day, especially in the winter. Let’s look at some essential maintenance steps to keep it going well.

Checking chain/belt tension:

Check out the chain on chain-drive doors. When the door is shut, it should sag about a quarter-inch to a half-inch above the rail in the middle.

This is how much it should sag before it needs to be strengthened. Check the belt for damage or wear signs on belt-drive systems. If you notice any issues, have a professional look at them.

Testing safety features and sensors:

Safety features are very important, and a fall is a great time to check that they’re working properly. To test the auto-reverse function, put a piece of wood or a roll of paper towels on the ground where the door would close. When this object hits the door, it should quickly turn around.

When the door is closing, wave an object between the photoelectric sensors, which are usually near the floor on both sides of the door. The door needs to stop and turn around. Wait to use the opener until either of these safety measures stops working. Then, call Mehr’s Garage Doors for repairs.

Addressing Common Fall Issues:

We at Mehr’s Garage Doors have seen how the fall in St. George can be hard on garage doors. Allow us to deal with two usual issues straight on.

Dealing with increased moisture and humidity:

Wood rot and rust can result from the increased moisture of fall. We recommend you check the weatherstripping on your door and replace it if needed. Use a dehumidifier to control the amount of humidity in your garage. Use a primer that stops rust if you see any early signs of rusting on a metal door.

Preparing for colder temperatures:

St. George doesn’t get very cold, but temperatures do drop. To prevent moving parts from stiffening in colder weather, grease all moving parts with a silicone-based lubricant. If your garage is connected to your home, consider insulating your garage door to increase energy savings.

When to Call a Professional?

We encourage homeowners to take an active part in maintaining their garage doors at Mehr’s Garage Doors. We also understand that some issues call for professional expertise.

Signs that indicate you need expert help:

It’s time to call us if you notice that your door is much harder to open or close or hear strange sounds like grinding, scraping, or popping. Also, if you can see that your door is off-track, if there is a lot of rust or damage to the frames, or if the automatic backward feature isn’t working right, these are all signs that you should get professional help.

Importance of professional servicing: 

Working on garage door openers or adjusting springs can be dangerous if you need the right tools and training. Our Mehr’s Garage Doors team has been safely and effectively dealing with these complicated issues for over 40 years. Professional maintenance not only helps to prevent accidents but also ensures that your door works at its best, which could save you money on fixes in the future.

Safety Precautions for DIY Maintenance:

Safety should always be your top priority when working on your garage door, even though we urge do-it-yourself maintenance.

Tools and equipment needed:

For essential maintenance, you’ll need a stepladder, lubricant (preferably silicone-based), a soft cloth for cleaning, and simple hand tools like screwdrivers and wrenches. Before starting any work, you should always ensure your tools are in good shape.

Warnings:

 We can’t stress this enough: never try to change or adjust your garage door’s springs. These are under a lot of stress and could hurt you badly if you treat them wrong. In the same way, only work on the electrical parts of your opener if you know what you’re doing.

Please call Mehr’s Garage Doors if you have any issues with the springs or the electrical parts. We have the necessary expertise and tools to handle these safely and successfully.

Benefits of Regular Fall Maintenance:

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we know how regular fall maintenance can significantly improve the longevity and functionality of your garage door.

Extending the life of your garage door:

By handling minor issues before they become significant, you’re extending the life of your garage door. While quick minor damage repairs can prevent them from developing into significant problems, regular lubrication checks avoid wear and tear on moving parts. This preventative measure saves you money in the long run and ensures that your door will continue functioning correctly for many years.

Improving energy efficiency and home security:

A well-maintained garage door can help your home use less energy. Properly sealed and insulated homes can prevent heat loss in the winter and keep cool air in the summer, reducing energy costs.

A garage door that works properly is also essential for keeping your home safe. Your garage door is a solid first line of defense for your home. Make sure the locks, sensors, and auto-reverse features are checked regularly.

Conclusion: 

According to the experts, regular fall maintenance is essential for the longevity and functionality of your garage door. We at Mehr’s Garage Doors have given you crucial tips on how to get your door ready for the St. George winter months.

Be bold and call us for professional assistance with complicated issues, even though many maintenance chores can be done yourself. Following these guidelines, You can ensure your garage door line stays a dependable, secure, and valuable part of your home throughout the fall and beyond.

FAQ’s:

How often should I lubricate my garage door?

We recommend that you grease the moving parts of your garage door every three months and again before winter.

Can I adjust the garage door springs myself?

No, garage door springs are very tight and could be dangerous. Never adjust the springs yourself; always call a professional like Mehr’s Garage Doors.

Why is my garage door making noise when opening or closing?

Noisy function frequently means that parts need lubrication or that the mechanics are having a problem. If lubrication doesn’t work, call us to schedule a check.

How can I improve my garage door’s insulation for winter?

You can add weatherstripping, fill gaps, and get an enclosed garage door. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we have choices that use less energy.

How do I know if my garage door is balanced correctly?

Take the opener out of the picture and lift the door halfway by hand. This means that it is balanced if it stays put. Call us to adjust the springs if it rises or falls.