Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Your Garage Door

Are you looking to extend the lifespan of your garage door? We are here to help with a few tips that will help you maintain your garage door functionality throughout all seasons, especially the harsh ones. Modern Day Garage has over 60 years of experience in the garage door industry and has learned a few things throughout the process. If you are trying to maintain your garage yourself or need to use a service professional, Modern Day Garage has you covered.

Garage Door Maintenance Tips by Season

Regular maintenance not only prolongs the life of the garage door, but also ensures that everything is running smoothly, and safely. See below for more information on garage door maintenance tips by season.

Spring Maintenance

Spring cleaning is the best way to give your garage door a refresh after a long, harsh winter. The transition from winter to spring can affect functionality, so here are a few tips to help you maintain your garage during the spring season:

• Clean your garage door: Clean the exterior of your garage with a mild soap and water mixture. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or brushes.
• Inspect rust spots: If you notice that any spots have begun to rust, inspect the area and decide what places might need to be sanded, and then repainted. If wood doors are peeling or have chipped, this might require a touchup to ensure that the issue does not spread.
• Check weather seals: Winter weather can be hard on garage doors and their seals. Check the weather seals on your garage door to ensure that there are no cracks or other damage that has occurred during the winter season. Repairing damaged weather seals will improve the energy efficiency of your garage and home because they can work properly.

Summer Maintenance

The summer season brings warm weather and sunshine, but also humidity and temperature fluctuations. These frequent changes can significantly impact a garage door’s functionality due to how they affect the materials. See below for summer garage door maintenance tips.

• Track cleaning and maintenance: Debris can build up from normal use, so making sure your garage door will slide smoothly is essential to the functionality of your garage door. Small buildup can significantly impact the functionality of your garage door. Turn off the power and use a cloth or brush to clean the inside of the tracks
• Lubricate moving parts: Silicon-based lubricants are best when it comes to rollers, hinges, springs, and openers. Lubricating parts helps with a smooth operation and decreases overall friction. If you do not know the proper areas to lubricate, save this for a garage door professional who can get the job done right.
• Inspect garage door opener: Look for signs of struggle as your garage door is going up or down. This could be due to temperature fluctuations that cause metals to expand, which could cause more tension in springs. If the garage door opener is struggling, the force settings might need to be adjusted, which can be done by a garage door professional.

Fall Maintenance

As temperatures begin to change and the weather is cooler in the fall, there are a few simple steps to make sure your garage door is ready for cooler temperatures. Preparing for fall helps avoid common issues in the winter-related to freezing and sticking.

• Check garage door insulation: Garage door insulation plays a role in ensuring that your home and garage door are performing at their optimal energy efficiency levels. Check the weather seals and stripping around your door to make sure there are no gaps or tears. Also, if your garage does not have insulation, consider having some installed, or replacing older insulation as it can break down over time.
• Inspect for wear and tear: Check to see if all parts are where they should be and if there are no extensive signs of wear, such as frayed cables, bent tracks, and work rollers or hinges. If you notice any of these, have your garage door repaired by a professional. These issues will become exacerbated during the winter and further damage the garage door.

Winter Maintenance

Colder temperatures, ice, snow, and more wind can cause greater issues for your garage door. Make sure you perform these maintenance tips to keep your garage door functioning properly.

• Replace garage door opener batteries: Batteries can die quicker in colder temperatures, especially if they are older. Replacing old batteries will allow easier access to your garage, and there is a smaller chance of the new batteries dying. We also recommend keeping a set of replacement batteries in your home so you are never stuck in a position where your opener will not connect to your garage door.
• Clear snow and ice from garage door area: Clearing snow and ice from around your garage door will reduce the amount of pressure and weight against your garage door. Too much snow or ice can create issues with weather seals or damage your door when trying to open it.
• Install a battery backup system: If your area is prone to power outages, install a battery backup system to ensure that your garage door will always function. This can be done by a garage door professional to make sure your garage door is conveniently working during all seasons, especially winter.

Modern Day Garage Service & Maintenance

We have provided you with tips and tricks to ensure that your garage door functions properly throughout all seasons, but Modern Day Garage is here to help you with your maintenance needs. We recommend that you have your garage door serviced once a year for proper functionality. A garage door technician will be able to assist in all maintenance listed above, so you can rest assured that your garage door is in optimal condition.

Schedule an appointment with Modern Day Garage Today.