Spring cleaning and landscaping become a primary focus for many homeowners once winter has passed, but the largest moving part of your home can easily be forgotten. A comprehensive garage door maintenance checklist should be completed annually or semiannually to make sure your system is running safely and properly year-round.

Cold and ice can cause serious damage to your metal parts and weatherstripping. Garage door maintenance for Spring is something every homeowner should be doing.

At RKS Doors, we recommend a preventive approach to help avoid costly future repairs and to keep your entry system operating as long as possible.

Visual Inspection and Hardware Tightening

A visual inspection should always be first on your garage door maintenance Checklist. Inspect rollers, cables, and springs for fraying, rust, or general wear and tear. Garage doors are highly tensioned systems, so you’ll want to catch these problems early to help keep your home safe.

According to the International Door Association, unexpected mechanical failures can be prevented by regular inspection. Regular vibration can cause bolts and brackets to loosen. Simply tightening these is another garage door maintenance task for Spring. RKS Doors recommends inspecting the mounting brackets and track bolts to ensure the entire assembly is secure and straight.

Cleaning and Lubrication Procedures

In addition to inspections and hardware checks, cleaning the tracks and lubricating moving parts are all tasks that belong on your Garage Door Maintenance Checklist. Tracks can accumulate dirt and debris over the winter months, causing your door to hesitate or make noise during operation.

Wipe the inside of the tracks with a damp cloth and avoid using heavy grease, which can actually attract more dirt. Use a high-quality silicone or lithium-based spray on rollers, hinges, and springs. This part of Garage Door Maintenance for Spring helps reduce friction and strain on the motor.

Proper lubrication, according to DASMA, can preserve the finish and mechanical parts.

Bottom Line: Safety Tests and Professional Servicing

Testing the safety reverse mechanism should be at the top of your Garage Door Maintenance Checklist. Simply place an item, such as a piece of wood, in the path of the door. If it doesn’t automatically reverse, the system needs to be professionally adjusted immediately.

Although many tasks are doable for a homeowner, tricky spring tension adjustments and cable replacements are jobs for professionals only. Make Garage Door Maintenance for Spring a priority so that your home stays secure and your day isn’t disrupted.

If you trust your safety and security to a professional, make sure to have your system checked by RKS Doors and receive a comprehensive safety tune-up.