DIY Garage Door Maintenance Tips

When you think of garage door maintenance, you may think it’s a job for professionals only, but that’s not always the case. Taking care of your garage door might seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of guidance, even beginners can ensure their garage door operates smoothly and safely. In this beginner-friendly guide, we'll walk you through some essential DIY garage door maintenance tips that will keep everything in top-notch condition.

What Kind of Maintenance Does a Garage Door Need?

Garage doors need regular maintenance to ensure smooth operation, enhance safety and prolong their lifespan. Knowing exactly which areas to check can be tricky to figure out for first-timers, so here’s a garage door maintenance checklist with the key types of maintenance tasks needed:

• Visual inspection 
• Cleaning
• Lubrication of moving parts
• Tightening hardware
• Seal and weatherstripping checks
• Seasonal follow-up checks 

How do You Maintain a Garage Door?

Let’s tackle DIY garage door maintenance step by step

1. Perform a thorough inspection of your garage door. Begin by closely examining the tracks, springs, rollers, and hinges. Look out for any signs of wear and tear or damage. Open and close the door to check for any signs of misalignment. Identifying issues early on can prevent more significant problems down the road. This is the time to call in the professionals if you see something that needs repairing.
2. Clean the garage door so you can get a good look at the condition of the hinges, rollers and other parts. Clean the exterior and interior of the door with warm soapy water, and avoid harsh chemicals that may strip the paintwork. Don’t forget to clean any dirt and grime that has built up on the tracks. 
3. Next, it’s time to lubricate the garage door hinges, brackets and rollers. Avoid lubricating the tracks as this could cause your door to slip. Choose a high-quality garage door lubricant and apply a few squirts to the rollers, brackets and hinges. Place a piece of cardboard behind the area being lubricated to prevent it from getting onto other parts of the door. After applying the lubricant, wipe away any excess to prevent attracting dirt and debris.
4. Now it’s time to inspect the garage door hardware and pay attention to the screws, bolts and hinges. Keep an eye out for any screws that appear loose and tighten them with a screwdriver if needed. A loose bolt or nut can cause unnecessary noise and compromise the integrity of your garage door. Any rusted or damaged hinges may need to be replaced so be sure to seek professional advice in these instances.
5. The next step is to check the garage door seals. Regular inspection is a good way to know when to replace your garage door seals. Look out for cracks or tears in the seals and feel around them to make sure the rubber hasn’t become dry and brittle. If you have brush strip garage door seals, make sure the bristles are in good condition and haven’t become misshapen. Check the seals for gaps at the side and bottom of the garage door. Gaps in the seals and cracked or torn areas are signs that you will need to replace your garage door seals. Invest in high-quality brush strips or rubber blade seals for the bottom of the garage door. You can add a threshold seal for extra protection against rainwater and draughts. Weatherstrips or garage door multi-seals are ideal for small gaps around the sides and top of the garage entrance. Keeping your seals in check not only keeps your garage better insulated but also prolongs the life of your door.
6. Schedule seasonal checks to stay on top of things. Different seasons bring different challenges for your garage door. Before winter or extreme weather conditions set in, perform specific maintenance tasks to ensure your door can handle the elements. Seasonal care goes a long way in preventing weather-related damage.

How Often do You Need to Lubricate a Garage Door?

To keep the moving parts in tip-top shape, you should lubricate your garage door at least every six months. If you use your garage door frequently, such as multiple times a day, it may require more frequent lubrication to ensure smooth operation. Heavy usage can accelerate the wear on moving parts and extreme temperatures or high humidity can make the operation sticky so lubricate more frequently in these situations.

Should You Use WD-40 on a Garage Door?

Although standard WD-40 is marketed as a multi-use product, it is generally not recommended for lubricating garage doors. This is because it contains water-displacing mineral oils that can actually damage nylon rollers and cause more harm than good. The ingredients cause plastics and rubber to soften which is bad news if it comes into contact with a rubber seal. If your garage door has a powder-coated finish, WD-40 can damage it. This is why it is best to only use lubricants made specifically for garage doors. 

What is the Best Thing to Lubricate a Garage Door With?

A white lithium grease is the best type of lubricant for garage doors. Lithium grease works well because it stays put and doesn’t run, is moisture resistant and is effective in different temperatures.

How Often Should You do Maintenance on a Garage Door?

Routine maintenance on a garage door is typically recommended at least once or twice a year. Regular inspections, lubrication, and minor adjustments help ensure smooth operation, prevent potential issues, and extend the lifespan of the garage door. A professional maintenance check can also be scheduled to address complex issues and perform thorough inspections, giving you peace of mind.

Shop Replacement Garage Door Seals

If your maintenance checks reveal that you have worn-out seals, JA Seals carries a range of replacement garage door seals to suit your requirements. Whether you need brush strips or a garage door bottom seal replacement, we can supply the seal in the length you need. Browse our garage door seal products or contact us for more information.

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