Three Ways That You Can Maintain Your Garage Door
Anytime you encounter a seemingly major problem with your garage door, it's important to call a licensed garage door contractor to take a look at the situation. Working on the door without the proper expertise is dangerous; not only is the door heavy and suspended overhead, but its springs have a considerable amount of tension that can cause injury. Large problems aside, the average homeowner can successfully maintain his or her garage door by performing a short list of tasks that aren't complicated. Properly maintaining your garage door will help it work safely and easily and can often prevent the need for premature replacement.
Fixing Exterior Dents
Over time, the exterior of your garage door can get dented for a variety of reasons. Even if the look of the dents doesn't overly concern you, the issue is that where the aluminum is rippled, the surface of the door can begin to rust. Over time, this rust can spread until you have a major eyesore. You can successfully fix the issue by filling the dent with a hardening putty that is often used for the same purpose on vehicle dents. Once the putty hardens, sand the area smooth with a fine-grit sandpaper and give everything a coat of paint. Soon enough, there will be no indicator that the dent ever existed.
Changing The Bottom Trim
The trim on the bottom of your garage door is designed to push firmly into the ground to create a barrier against the weather. If the rubber component gets damaged, the trim's efficiency will be compromised. Partially open the door so you can view the trim. Pull the rubber strip out of its housing and discard it. Visit a home improvement center to buy a replacement length of trim. Use a utility knife to cut the trim to the same length as the width of your door and then slide it into either end of the housing and patiently pull it until it's in place.
Tightening The Bolts
If the garage door vibrates or is excessively noisy during operation, it's often because some of the bolts that hold the panel hinges in place have become loosened. Find the right size of wrench or socket and systematically check each bolt on the inside of the door, tightening it if necessary. Once you've tightened any loose bolts, open and close the door again and you should notice that it operates much more quietly.