Seasonal Garage Door Maintenance Tips

By Tony Hall

The weather has a big say in what we can do. It determines choice of wardrobe, leisure activities, vacations, among many other things. It is advisable to always work ahead and be prepared for the coming season to avoid getting caught up in problems and dilemmas that can be avoided, such as with your garage door. Going from bitterly cold winters to hot, dry summers in the Texas Panhandle (not to mention flash floods and hail), can wreak havoc on your garage door. Therefore it’s important to do seasonal maintenance.

How do I prep my garage for the winter?

There are certainly things you can do to get ready for the cold season. One is to clean both sides of the garage door with a solution of water and mild detergent. Rinse well with clean water and apply wax to steel doors for protection from weather elements.

Lubrication of every moving part is important. Use a good quality lubricant like WD-40 on the springs, hinges and rollers, applying a light, even coat. The lubricant will ensure that parts do not stick together which cold weather can cause. Apply some on the tracks as well.

Pay attention to the weatherstripping as well. Clean the stripping in between the door panels and around the edges with a good plastics cleaning product. When it is completely dry, apply a silicone-based lubricant. Check for cracks and tears on the stripping and replace it in time.

When the cold weather sets in, open and close the door daily. It will prevent the door from freezing shut and it will ensure your door opens and shuts smoothly.

Does my garage door need maintenance during warmer months?

It is necessary to get garage doors ready for the warm season, too. Take advantage of the warm weather to clean out your garage. Have boxes and a trash can on hand. Go through everything on the shelves and floor, and sort out what you need and what should be thrown away. Leave everything outside while you wipe the shelves and clean the floor.

Start right from the walls, using a long handled cobweb brush or broom to remove cobwebs and sweep the walls. After dry sweeping, use a stiff, long-handled scrubbing brush to scrub the floor with mild detergent and then rinse and dry it. Tackle oil stains with a stain remover. You can then tidily put everything back. As you work, check for damage such as broken windows and cracks on the walls. Get them repaired accordingly.

Pay attention to the garage door. Clean it, lubricate it and clean sensitive parts like the photo eyes with a soft, dry cloth. If there are any problems like jerky or noisy movements that lubricant does not take care of, have it checked.

Which Amarillo garage door company should I call?

You will always find a friendly and expert ear at Willow Creek Overhead Door in Amarillo, Texas. Whether all you want is some advice on how to do seasonal maintenance or you need your door repaired or replaced, you can count on owner Tony Hall for affordable prices and speedy service.

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