Seasonal Garage Door Maintenance Checklist

Year-round garage door maintenance is crucial to keeping it operational, secure and durable. Seasonal maintenance is a preventive measure that increases the life span of your garage door and parts. It enhances your home’s security by prohibiting hazards like broken springs, unauthorized access and damage to your vehicle. 

Proactive maintenance deters small problems from snowballing into bigger issues requiring expensive repairs or complete door replacements. Below are seasonal garage door preventive maintenance tips that guide you on what to do every season.

Springs Maintenance Checklist

Your spring cleaning list should include garage door preventive maintenance steps to remove the gunk accumulated during the winter. Upkeep involves washing the door to remove dirt, dust, debris and salt. 

Clean the garage door using a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Avoid using a pressure washer, as it can cause scratching and other damage. Focus on areas around the tracks to remove dirt and dust that could prevent the door’s smooth movement. 

Spring is a good time to perform visual inspections on the door’s surface, hardware, tracks, opener and panels. Look out for loose connections, damage and signs of wear and tear and make the necessary repairs, including sanding, painting and repainting. Inspect the weather stripping for signs of damage to keep out pests and debris while improving your garage’s energy efficiency. 

It’s the best time to test the garage door’s balance by disconnecting the opener and manually lifting it halfway. Check to ensure it stays in place. If not, schedule maintenance or an opener replacement with a professional. Lubricate moving parts like hinges, rollers and tracks to ensure they operate quietly and smoothly.

Summer Maintenance Checklist

You want your garage door to look and perform its best during the summer to boost your curb appeal. It’s time to check and make changes that enable your garage door to shield your belongings against the elements. Here’s a summer garage door maintenance checklist:

• Consider repainting your door if needed to protect it from the harsh summer sun.
• Inspect your rollers and replace them if you notice cracks or signs of wear.
• Remove the rust and apply the primer to prevent it from spreading.
• Lubricate the moving parts of your garage door, such as springs, hinges, rollers and tracks, to extend the door’s life span and reduce friction and wear. Use a cloth to remove dirt and old lubricant, then coat the parts lightly with a silicone-based lubricant to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating. 
• Place a small object under the door to test the emergency reverse and photo-eye sensors. If these security features are OK, the door will halt and replace itself as it approaches.
• Check for unusual movements and sounds in your garage door opener by wiping its exterior and lubricating its chain or screwdriver. 
• Replace the batteries on your remote controls and reprogram the unique keypad codes for extra security. 
• Replace missing or damaged insulation to maintain optimal garage temperatures, improve comfort inside and minimize energy costs. 
• Check and test whether the locks, bolts and brackets are tight.
• Check broken cables for breakage and fraying and replace these to prevent unusual noises, further damage and potential accidents. 

Fall Maintenance Checklist

Fall garage door upkeep involves getting your door ready to preserve its condition and performance. It involves:

• Check the door’s balance to reduce wear and tear on the garage door. A well-balanced garage door stays in place when lifted halfway. Misalignment requires professional intervention. 
• Clear away fall leaves from the garage door track and open them to prevent clogging that may interfere with smooth operation. Make sure they’re perfectly vertical and not bent. 
• Examine and replace door rollers if you notice signs of wear, tear, overstretching, breakage and damage. 
• Inspect for warping and damage to the door panels and make repairs and replacements early to prevent significant costs down the lines.
• Inspect the weather seals around the door and replace them if damaged to keep drafts, debris and pests out. 
• Reapply lubricant to moving parts, like tracks, hinges and rollers, to ensure they operate smoothly even as temperatures start to freeze.
• Inspect hardware for signs of rust and corrosion and apply rust preventive to boost protection as moisture increases in the fall.
• Schedule an annual professional inspection with a reputable garage door repair company. They have the expertise and experience to identify complex issues and suggest additional preventive maintenance steps. 

Winter Maintenance Checklist

While maintenance throughout the year ensures your garage door can stand up against the extreme cold and intense snowstorms of the winter, you need to continue with maintenance steps even in the ice-cold weather. Winter garage door maintenance ensures it maintains performance and strength in the season when it works harder than before. Here are winter garage door upkeep tasks:

• Clean the gunk, dirt, dust and debris from the garage door’s moving parts to prevent it from freezing and sticking in place.
• Lubricate the moving parts to prevent the door from getting stuck and reduce wear and tear. Re-lubricate often because the cold temperatures thicken the lubricant, making it harder to operate.
• Check and replace the weatherstripping if you notice cracks that let cold air and melted snow leak into the garage, leading to a frozen garage door. Effective weather stripping keeps the cold air out and minimizes energy costs. 
• If your door is frozen shut, do not use the automatic opener to try to open it. Instead, use a sharp object to dislodge it and a blow-dryer or heat gun to melt the ice. 
• Regularly clear ice and snow from the garage door tracks and panels to prevent it from freezing shut. 
• Check your battery backup capacity to ensure it’ll be available for extended power outages during winter storms. 

Get Comprehensive Garage Door Maintenance in Whitby 

While you can handle most garage door maintenance activities, trusted professionals will keep your door working smoothly through the seasons. Professional maintenance also prevents future problems and emergency situations by tackling them on time. It saves you time and money while preserving any warranties by ensuring repairs and replacements are done correctly.

Whitby Garage Doors is a full-service provider that offers routine maintenance, emergency repairs and new garage door installation. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we offer fast, convenient and honest services. We offer same-day visits and consultations to our customers in Whitby, Ajax, Bowmanville, Cobourg, Oshawa, Port Perry and Uxbridge.

Contact us today to learn more about our maintenance and other garage door services, or schedule a service appointment with one of our experienced technicians.