What’s the best way to keep a garage door in good condition? Here at Look Garage Doors, we can proudly say that our doors are built to last and you’ll be able to rely on them for years. Whether you go for an old-fashioned Up & Over garage door, or a modern sectional one, you’ll be getting a top-of-the-line installation that is safe and low-maintenance.That said, our doors are not ‘zero maintenance.’ No product is and like all things in life, they require a bit of care. They can be used multiple times a day and this adds up. If you don’t look after your garage door, it’ll eventually start to break down. So, how do you keep a garage door in good condition? And what are the warning signs to look out for? Let’s find out.
Is Your Garage Door Breaking?
The first thing to bear in mind is how your door is performing. When you open or close it, does it make any unusual noises? Listen out for unexplained creaking sounds or grinding metal. Your garage door should run smoothly and have a slight electric hum, so if it sounds more like a set of rusty gears crunching together, it’s time to get the toolbox out. Start by checking the moving parts and ensuring they’re all aligned properly. Lubricate the mechanisms with white lithium grease and a lubricating spray and it should keep things running nicely. Spend ten minutes doing this every three or four months and you’ll add years to the garage door’s lifespan. Avoid WD40 though; this has a habit of drying things out and does more harm than good. One point we must stress is don’t attempt anything with the high-tension cables. We realise they would be considered ‘moving parts,’ but don’t touch them. If a tightly wound cable breaks, it could cause a serious injury. By all means, watch out for broken strands and wear and tear on the bracket, but when it comes to cables, look but don’t touch. If you notice anything amiss, call a professional.
Cleaning A Garage Door
That aside, it’s also worth giving your door a good scrub. Yes, we know we sound like nagging parents, but trust us, it’s worth doing. Cleaning a garage door requires no specialist equipment or knowledge and in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t take much effort. If you find yourself with a spare Sunday afternoon, get a mild all-purpose cleaning spray and get to work. Doing this on a semi-regular basis makes the door look nice, but it has a practical purpose too. It’ll prevent gunk and debris from building up in the tracks and reduce the risk of anything jamming in it. When you’re cleaning the door, you’re also more likely to notice the smaller imperfections like peeling paint or rust spots that can eventually lead to bigger problems down the line.And yes, there is a superficial reason for keeping your garage door in good condition. They’re big installations and take up a lot of space at the front of a house, so a broken, dirty garage door can really upset the decor. With a bit of TLC though, they’ll not only look impressive, they’ll perform beautifully as well.If you’d like to know more, you’re welcome to contact us. We are proud to offer our products and services to homes in Mansfield, Nottingham and the surrounding regions. Get in touch today and let’s see what we can create.