The Basics of Garage Door Maintenance
Garage doors are mechanical devices that have moving parts that wear, break and need to be regularly maintained. The frequency of maintenance will change with the number of times the door is opened and closed, an open and close is referred to in our industry as a cycle. In the U.S., it is believed that most doors are cycled six times a day, or 2,190 times per year. These are averages and will vary between households. Here a few tips to maintain your garage door.
Pay attention to your owner's manual
Your owner's manual is specific to your garage door brand. If you've lost yours, go online to the company's website and download the digital version. The manual will also let you know exactly what replacement part to order for DIY repairs.
Lubricate, lubricate, lubricate
Regularly lubricate all moving parts of your garage door and door operator. This is especially important when you need to un-stick old garage door parts or if your garage door is exposed to weather extremes in summer and winter. Find a lubricant that fits your budget to increase the life expectancy of your garage door.
For more information, check out our FAQ page on garage door lubrication.
Don't forget the safety checks
Check, calibrate, and adjust the safety devices on the electric operator. The specifics of this should be found and followed from the operator manual furnished when the unit was installed. Safety adjustments are very important because the product protects your possessions and loved ones, and requires adjustment several times a year because of weather changes and other factors.
You don't want your garage door slamming down when it's not supposed to, so adjust the springs when needed to make sure your door opens and closes properly. For example, your garage door should stay in the up position when disconnected from the operator. Another way to confirm if your door is working properly is to open the door half-way when disconnected from the door operator.
Finding replacement parts for old doors
If your garage door is more than 5 or 10 years old, it can be difficult to find replacement parts, especially if your model has been discontinued. That's when you need to rely on companies like North Shore Commercial Door. We carry discount-priced replacement parts for new and old garage door models. We also offer our own brand of garage door parts that are compatible with older garage doors. Our friendly in-house experts are also a phone call or email away at either 800-783-6112, or support@northshorecommercialdoor.com.