Few things are more frightening than a garage door that suddenly doesn't work the way that it always has. The best way to avoid this problem is to check your garage door and opener for problems at least once a month. That way you can tell you have a problem long before it's something that irreparably damages your garage door.

Check the Tracks and Springs

Homeowners often overlook the tracks and springs of the garage door, even though they're right there in full view. That tends to happen with things that you look at all the time. Make it a special point to really look at the tracks to see if there is debris built up in them. If there is, that debris can very easily derail the door when it's opening or closing, which is a costly problem. Brush out any debris and check to see if the tracks are off kilter or wobbly at all. For the springs, make sure they're attached at each end and watch them when you raise and lower the door to see that they're functioning properly.

Check the Lubrication

All of the moving parts in your garage door need lubrication to keep working the way that they should. Engine oil is the right lubricant for the job. You need a drop or two on each of the rollers, which helps to lubricate the bearings as the door moves. Add a drop or two of oil to the hinges and springs as well, so that they continue to move freely.

Check the Balance

The balance on your garage door is extremely important. It's one of the things that your installer tested once he was finished installing the door, and it's something that you should check periodically. Unhook the door from your automatic garage door opener for this test. Close the door completely and then open it until it's only about three feet from the garage floor. Let the door go. The door should stay balanced right in the position in which you left it. If the door continues rising or closes itself, then it is not balanced properly and needs repair.

Check the Sensitivity Setting of the Opener

An important safety feature of your door's opener is that when it encounters resistance while closing the door, the opener immediately reopens the door. To test this, put a brick or spare piece of lumber in the spot where the door usually touches the garage floor. Close the door. The opener should reverse the door as soon as the door touches the object on the floor. If it doesn't, then you need to contact a technician who can correct the problem for you.

Whether you need help with maintenance or you need a new garage door, contact an expert today who can figure out exactly what you need.

For professional garage door services, contact a company such as Jayton Door Corporation.

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