Learning to take care of all the appliances and other systems in your home can be overwhelming. These items come with owners manuals, but not many people take the time to become familiar with the instructions. Taking care of your garage door is something you should learn to do. If you rely on your garage door to open and shut daily, you're going to want to ensure it's in good working order. Here are three parts of the garage door you should learn to maintain and what to look for so you know when to call a professional:
Tracks
Garage doors are lifted on a frame of tracks that are installed in the opening of the doorway. The tracks allow the rollers to stay secure and roll up as they are pulled by a spring and chain. The spring winds as the doors lift open and closed to create mechanical energy. When you press the button to activate your garage door the tracks need to be clear for the rollers to pass. If anything is in their way, the tracks can become bent or jam. This can cause the door to fall and be a huge hazard. If you notice too much movement in the tracks as the rollers are engaged or a door hanging crooked, you need to hire residential garage door repair.
Mechanical Parts
Your garage door is made up of many mechanical parts that engage to operate things successfully. Anything made of metal can corrode over time, and you want things to run smoothly. Learning to use a garage door lubricant is an easy way to keep these parts well-oiled and working their best. If you ever hear loud noises while operating your door, this is a sign it's time to get out the lubricant. You can consult your garage door owners manual for types of lubricants and the maintenance schedule they recommend.
Weatherstripping
The weatherstripping at the bottom of your garage door is an important feature. It helps seal the area and keep the door secure. If you live in a windy area, a bad weatherstrip could cause some excessive wear and tear as it pounds your door. This seal keeps rodents and bugs out and can be a great way to prevent water during the rainy season. If you can see a gap at the bottom of your door while it is closed, find a garage door professional to recommend what to replace it with.
Take care of your garage door so you protect the value of your home and keep things running smoothly.
For more information on residential garage doors, reach out to a local garage door company.
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