Garage door maintenance is something that is often overlooked – until the doors stop functioning properly. The good news is that it’s not difficult to maintain these important components of your home. With a little time and attention, you can help keep your garage doors operating smoothly both now and in the future.
One thing to always keep in mind is your own safety – and that of those around you. Certain tasks are meant for the professionals, so don’t try and take a shortcut – call someone who is experienced and can do the job properly.
Though they look relatively simple in construction, garage doors actually have many components, especially if they’re hooked up to an electric opener.
Because of this level of complexity—and the fact that a garage door must stand up against harsh weather—a garage door may suffer from any of several problems.
The most common problem is that the door becomes difficult to lift and lower. This may be something that can be resolved with a few simple adjustments and basic maintenance, or it may be more serious. If the door is connected to an electric opener, the first clue is to disconnect the opener mechanism from the door by pulling the release cord or lever. If the door works fine manually, the problem is with the electric opener; in this case, consult your owner’s manual or call a garage door opener repair pro.
A door that seems unusually heavy to lift may have a problem with spring tension. Garage door springs are under extreme tension because of the loads they must lift, and this makes them dangerous to adjust. If your door’s springs are out of adjustment, do not attempt to work on them yourself. Call a qualified garage door contractor.
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