Winter is coming. And while we’re all thinking about getting the furnace checked, putting away the patio furniture, cleaning the gutters and getting the snowblower ready, there’s one piece of home maintenance that can be easy to overlook:
Your garage door.
We use our garage doors every day, often without giving them much thought. But they’re one of the largest moving parts in our homes, and a little preventive maintenance now can help keep them working properly when the temperatures drop.
One thing I make a point of doing each year is lubricating the garage door springs and other moving components. Cold weather can be hard on mechanical parts, and keeping everything properly lubricated can help reduce friction and unnecessary wear.
I have personally found that a good garage-door lubricant spray works extremely well on the springs located above the door and all the rollers (see picture for brand). It only takes a few minutes, and it’s something I try to do annually before winter really settles in.
A few other quick things worth checking:
• Make sure the door opens and closes smoothly
• Take a look at the rollers, hinges and tracks for obvious wear or damage.
• Check that the safety sensors are working properly.
• Make sure the door’s weather stripping is still sealing against the elements.
• If you notice a broken spring, damaged cable or anything that looks unsafe, don’t try to repair it yourself. Those components can be under significant tension, so call a qualified garage door professional.
And one important reminder: don’t lubricate the tracks themselves unless your garage door manufacturer specifically recommends it. The tracks should generally remain clean so the rollers can move properly.
None of this is particularly exciting home maintenance. But that’s kind of the point.
A few minutes of preventive maintenance today can potentially save you from dealing with a garage door that decides to stop working on the coldest Tuesday morning of the winter.
Ask me how I know. 😂
So as you work your way through your winter-prep checklist, add the garage door to the list. Your future self might thank you.
Stay warm, stay safe, and keep Round Lake moving Forward.
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