6 Essential Garage Door Maintenance Tips for Minneapolis Homeowners

Minneapolis homeowners open and close their garage doors every day. Its functioning is often an afterthought until the door fails to close or some other mishap occurs. You can prevent major issues by following these six essential garage door maintenance tips.

Several maintenance tips keep garage doors in top shape. Homeowners can implement some of these themselves or hire a residential garage door maintenance company to handle the task. By applying the following, residents in the City of Lakes prolong the life of their garage door and feel peace of mind.

Garage Door Maintenance Tips for Minneapolis Property Owners

Garage doors are access points for vehicles. However, frustrations arise when the door fails to operate as it should. The last thing a homeowner needs is for their car to be stuck inside when the garage door struggles to open or causes security issues if it doesn’t close.

Homeowners who are familiar with their garage door are in a better position to be alerted to strange sounds that indicate potential issues. If the garage door usually opens smoothly but suddenly doesn’t, attentive homeowners can resolve the problem before it gets worse.

Tip 1: Check Springs

Minneapolis is a city of all four seasons, from cold, snowy winters to hot and humid summers. The various weather conditions affect the garage door’s functionality, materials, and longevity. Chilly conditions are often responsible for old springs breaking or becoming brittle.

Check the tension springs for breaks or cracks, or if they’ve stretched or become misshapen. The rainy months of spring could cause rust and corrosion, which result in faulty springs. Homeowners who hear clicking noises when the springs are operating should consider replacing them soon.

Tip 2: Lubricate the Door

Friction causes wear and tear. Ensure the garage door’s operability by lubricating the hinges, springs, rollers, and tracks as well as the chain with a silicone spray lubricant. Avoid WD-40 or lithium grease. Taking 10 minutes to lubricate the door periodically throughout the year prevents rust, too.

Tip 3: Check the Weather Seal

The weather seal promotes efficiency and security by providing a tight seal that keeps out hot and cold air, pests, and moisture. With every seasonal change, homeowners should inspect the garage door seal and replace worn ones to prevent drafts and moisture intrusions.

Tip 4: Test Auto-Reverse Feature and Photo Eye Sensor

The auto-reverse mechanism senses when an object is in the door’s path and causes it to reverse. Test this feature by placing a brick below the door, then try closing it. If the door fails to reverse upon contact, reconfigure the sensor or consult a garage door expert.

Similar to the auto-reverse feature is the photo eye sensor, which also prevents the door from closing if an obstruction is present. The difference, however, is that this sensor detects the object without making contact with it. It’s necessary to test the photo eye sensor, too.

Check that the sensors are aligned using the sensor lights. Close the garage door while waving a broom through the sensor light beams. If the door doesn’t reverse as it should, clean the sensors with a damp cloth and retest. Call a garage door professional if it still fails to reverse.

Tip 5: Change the Battery

Garage door batteries have a limited lifespan of about 1 to 2 years. Backup batteries can last 3 to 5 years. However, various factors, such as frequency of use, environmental conditions, and the quality of the batteries, can impact how long they last.

Regularly inspect the batteries so they can be changed before they die and leave the homeowner unable to open the garage door. Unplug the opener and attempt to open the garage with the remote or wall opener. If it fails to open, replace the battery with a new one.

Tip 6: Clean the Garage Door

Wash the outside of the garage door once a year and more often if living in a salt-air climate. Garage doors accumulate dirt, dust, and debris, which can compromise their integrity. Opt for a cleaner appropriate for the garage door surface, such as dish soap or car wash soap.

Use a microfiber mop to remove dirt from the surface. Next, use a hose to pre-rinse the door (avoid using a pressure washer, which causes damage). Scrub the garage door with a sponge and the soapy water. Rinse with water and consider waxing the door when it’s fully dry.

Many garage door maintenance routines can be handled by the homeowner. But certain tasks require attention from a garage door service pro. For example, any bolt that is painted red should be adjusted by a professional. Avoid making adjustments to the torsion spring mounted above the door.

Looking for Professional Garage Door Maintenance in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis homeowners are encouraged to seek out our services when the garage door struggles to open or close, sags, or is excessively noisy. Cables that appear frayed warrant professional attention, too. If you are unable to manually lift the door, seek our services right away.

By addressing the issues promptly, homeowners prevent an emergency situation and costlier repairs down the road. Promote the safe operation of your garage doors with our help. Homeowners also extend the life of their garage door by performing regular maintenance.

Aladdin Doors is a reputable garage door expert that offers an annual preventive maintenance program that covers all your garage door maintenance needs in Minneapolis, MN, and the nearby areas. Our skilled technicians check the mechanical components for wear and tear, lubricating and adjusting where necessary.

We inspect the tracks for signs of damage and test the door balance. Our specialists look for warping, rust, or damaged panels, which can affect the smooth operation of the garage door. If the door opens roughly or unevenly or produces grinding sounds, we perform repairs to restore its functionality. Give our technicians a call at (612) 314-3040 for professional garage door maintenance in Minneapolis, MN.