The Overhead Door Company of Western Kentucky is always looking to save you money when we can. The easiest way to do so is by giving you the knowledge to keep your garage door running smoothly with these six tips on preventative maintenance. Read on to find out how to save on garage door repair.

Before Your Start

Before you start working on your garage door, make sure you follow some steps to be safe. If you’re not sure how to safely do garage door preventative maintenance, please call the Overhead Door Company of [insert city], and we’ll get the job done for you. 

Follow these steps for safe garage door maintenance:

• Unplug the door: Make sure to unplug your door so that it does not start moving while you’re working on it.
• Use Clamp Locking Pliers: If you are planning to work under the door, attach clamp locking pliers below the rollers to ensure the door won’t move.
• Don’t touch the torsion spring: These have enough power to seriously injure you if handled improperly. Call a professional instead.

Inspect Your Garage Door Parts

Now is your chance to look over everything. Check your rollers for chips, make sure your tracks are level, and test your sensor using the two-by-four test mentioned in last month’s blog. Now is also a prime opportunity to replace the batteries in both your outdoor keypad and your remote openers.

Checking the basic parts of your garage door goes a long way in keeping everything running smoothly. Garage door checks like the one described above make preventative maintenance an easy task, but if you’re not sure about what the individual parts should be doing, the Overhead Door Company is here to help.

Tighten Loose Ends

The natural motion of your garage door can cause nuts and bolts to become shaky. A simple twist with your wrench should keep them in place until the next check-up. If you notice a particular one becoming repeatedly loose, it could be indicative of a larger issue. If this is the case, jump on a quick call to see what we can do for you.

Grease the Tracks… and Roller… and Spring

Making sure everything on your garage door is properly lubricated is by far the easiest way to prevent wear and tear and add years to the life of its components. Before you grease, make sure to wipe down the areas to remove gunky buildup and debris. Next, be sure to know the difference between lubricants so you can coat your setup properly.

• Lithium Grease: Thick lubricant applied to the flat surfaces — like the tracks — to prevent friction.
• Silicone Spray: Applied to the rollers and hinges leads to smooth operation.
• WD-40: An alternative to silicon spray that has to be applied with more frequency because it is alcohol-based.

Replace the Weatherstripping

We’re always singing the praises of having a solid weatherstrip on the bottom of your garage door. It helps to regulate temperature, keeps out critters, and prevents water from seeping in during showers and snowstorms. For an even greater seal, consider adding similar stripping to all four sides.

For Anything Else, Call Us!

We know there are still probably a few items on this list you still might feel uncomfortable performing yourself. That’s where we come in. The Overhead Door Company of Western Kentucky is here to help with any garage door preventative maintenance to keep you from having to spend big down the road.

(270) 554-5162