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A garage door is an important part of a home’s protection and safety. Since new garage doors and garage door openers can cost thousands of dollars, it makes good sense to take proper steps to preserve them. Proper garage door maintenance will increase the lifespan of the door while avoiding costly garage door repair.

Have the door opener serviced once a year by a professional. This should include adjusting the spring system and opener if needed and a wear and tear check. The main parts of the counter balance system are the springs. These springs can relax and stretch out over time and lose their proper balance. When this occurs, it can cause damage to the opener and become a safety hazard as well.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Although professional service is not very expensive, if this is not feasible, there are things you can do yourself to help extend the life of the door opener. Lubricate all moving parts every six months. Do not use just any lubricant, but use the lubricant made for this purpose and found in most home improvement or hardware stores.

Spray all the wheels also and then spray the track. Be sure to cover the whole track. When all parts are kept properly lubricated, there will be less strain on the motor so it does not have to work so hard and that will help extend its life. When lubricating, do not overspray excessively but just give everything a light coating.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Proper care of the interior and exterior of the door itself is important. The care it needs depends on the material from which it is made. A wooden garage door needs the same protection as any wood on a home’s exterior. It must be painted regularly or sealed to protect it against weather related damage. If this simple maintenance is not done, the door will gradually deteriorate and cost considerably more money in repairs or replacement.

The most common area for deterioration from wood rot and insect damage is the bottom section. Keep it properly sealed to resist moisture which swells and rots the wood, and to repel insects. For aluminum, vinyl or painted steel, brush debris from the door and then scrub with warm water and mild detergent. Wash with a non-abrasive sponge or mop and rinse thoroughly. Do not use vinegar or other acid-based products or full strength bleach.

Considering the importance of the garage door it is well worth spending a small amount of time and money to ensure it continues to function for as long as possible. Careful maintenance will add years of life to the garage door itself and the garage door opener. It will not only save money in garage door repair or replacement, it will help to add value to the home and protection for the family.