For many of us, the onset of autumn and its cooler temperatures provides a welcome respite from the summer heat and humidity. The fall is also the time to prepare your property for the upcoming winter season, including your home’s garage door.
1. Conduct a Test Run
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t pay much attention to how your door is functioning. Performing a quick test can often reveal potential signs of trouble that you can correct before they become significant repair issues. Take a moment to open and close the door and ensure that it moves smoothly, and listen for any excessively loud or unusual noises.
2. Inspect and Clean the Photo Eyes
Testing your photo eyes at least once a month ensures that your garage door closes correctly. If the photo eyes are not aligned, your door will not close. In this case, you can make slight adjustments by hand until they align. Adjust the non-lit sensor first. Once it lights up, it should be in the correct position, and your door will close properly.
If the photo eyes are dirty, the system’s reverse mechanism may not operate properly. You can clean the photo eyes using a soft cloth and mild cleaner.
3. Perform a Visual Check
You can learn a lot about your garage door’s health by inspecting it. Check for signs such as loose or frayed cables, rusted springs, damaged panels or anything else that appears amiss. Inspect the weatherstripping at the bottom of the door to ensure a tight seal. An experienced garage door technician can help you fix these issues in the early stages.
4. Lubricate Moving Parts
While most garage door maintenance tasks require the services of a trained professional, lubricating the moving parts is one job you can do yourself. Use white lithium grease or silicone spray to lubricate the rollers, hinges and springs. It’s vital to use extreme caution when lubricating these parts, as excessive lubrication can cause runs or drips on the face of your door and your vehicles.
5. Do a Fall Cleaning
The start of fall is an excellent time to clean your garage door and the area around it. Remove dirt, grass and debris that may have accumulated over the summer. Ensure the sensors are clean and unobstructed to prevent them from malfunctioning.
6. Change the Batteries
Cold winters can take a toll on batteries. Preparing a garage door for fall and winter should include replacing the batteries in the opener, remote control unit and keyless entry pad, especially if it’s been a year or longer since the last change.
Contact Consolidated Garage Doors, Ltd. for Help With Fall Preparation
Consolidated Garage Doors, Ltd. can handle fall prep for a garage door in Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles and the surrounding region. We strive to deliver SOLID SERVICE, SOLID SALES and SOLID PRODUCTS — we’ve been SOLID since 1976®. Our experienced technicians will perform a comprehensive inspection and troubleshooting steps to ensure your garage door is ready for the changing seasons.
Call us at 630-761-1976 or contact us online to request a service appointment today.