Garage Door Maintenance for Central Oregon

Garage Door Maintenance

Did you know that a garage door is a home’s largest moving part? The modern garage door is an integrated system of parts and components including the opener, springs, rollers, tracks and more. As with any mechanical system, your garage door requires routine maintenance to keep it in perfect operating condition and to prevent costly repair issues. Regular maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your garage door system, lengthening the time between replacements.

Garage Door Maintenance

What Are the Residential Garage Door Maintenance Steps?

You should perform garage door maintenance approximately once a year, or twice a year if your door is more than 10 years old. Home garage door maintenance steps should include the following:

  • Listen and observe: Take the door for a “test drive” by opening and then closing it. Look to see if the door is operating smoothly and listen for any grinding, scraping or other unusual sounds that could indicate a mechanical issue that needs attention. 
  • Examine the door: Perform a visual inspection of the door to check for signs of damage such as cracked or chipped windows, peeling paint and warping (wood doors) and rusting (steel doors).
  • Inspect the tracks: Check the tracks located on either side of the door opening and remove any debris. You can also vacuum them out for a more thorough cleaning.
  • Check the cables: Inspect the cables for signs of fraying, wear or corrosion, and tighten any loose cables.
  • Inspect and lubricate the rollers: Check the rollers for signs of cracking, chipping and wear, and replace any damaged rollers. Lubricate the rollers with regular engine oil by placing a drop on each one and activating the opener to enable the movement to draw the oil into the bearings.
  • Check the springs: Inspect the springs to ensure they’re “wet.” Dry springs can lead to jamming. Lightly lubricate the springs if necessary.
  • Test the door balance: An improperly balanced garage door will cause the opener to work harder and wear out sooner. Test the balance by disconnecting the opener and manually raising the door to the midway position. If the door starts to fall, you’ll likely need to make a spring adjustment.
  • Replace worn weatherstripping: The weatherstripping at the bottom of the door creates a seal that keeps cold air out and improves energy efficiency. Check the stripping for cracks and replace it if necessary.

Contact Blankenship Garage Doors for Professional Garage Door Maintenance

If you live in Central Oregon, Blankenship Garage Doors can perform a comprehensive annual garage door maintenance checkup. We’ll also conduct a series of troubleshooting steps to detect hidden mechanical issues that could result in costly repairs down the road. We specialize in Clopay® garage door maintenance, and we also have extensive experience working with other leading door brands. We’ve been providing exceptional garage door service throughout the region for more than 20 years.

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