Do you own a small business that uses garage doors? It might be an automotive shop. It could be a construction company. Maybe you have a warehouse or similar business. Whatever the case, you rely on your garage doors for your daily operations, and it is critical that you keep them in good condition.
While they’re different from residential garage doors, you do need to provide the right care and maintenance. Not sure what that includes? Keep reading to learn more about the recommended maintenance for sectional doors necessary to ensure your business does not suffer from unnecessary downtime. Some of these steps can be done on your end, but others will require a professional touch.
You use your garage doors multiple times per day, and it’s essential that it remains in good working condition. A Preventative Maintenance Program administered by our trained professionals can help, as can the steps outlined below.
Inspection
One per month, take a few minutes to inspect your garage doors visually. Look at the following areas:
- Check that all lift cables are in good condition, with new breaks or fraying.
- Make sure that your rollers are in good condition and that they roll, rather than sliding.
- Ensure that all hinges are securely attached.
- Check that the door tracks are secure and that the rollers fit within them properly.
Do you have a manual door? If so, does it feel very heavy when you open it? It could be out of balance. If you use a chain hoist to open the door, does it feel heavier than usual? It might be the same problem.
To check the balance on a garage door equipped with an electric opener, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Pull the emergency release cord.
- Open the door with one hand.
- Does it open easily? If not, it could be out of balance.
Balancing a garage door is critical, but it is not something you should attempt on your own. Mar‑Lin Dock & Door can help ensure your door is safe and in good condition.
Extending garage door life
One of the most critical considerations for extending your garage door life without the need to hire a professional is to lubricate various components. Here’s what you need to know.
Metal: Any metal components should be lightly lubricated using 5W30 motor oil. Make sure not to apply it heavily. This includes the following:
- Rollers
- Hinges
- Spring system (counterweights)
Note that you should avoid using white grease to lubricate your garage door components. That includes on the rollers. Too much lubrication will make your rollers slide, which will increase wear and tear rather than protecting them.
PVC: You’ll find PVC used in the Weatherstripping at the bottom of your garage door, as well as between garage door sections. Use a silicone-based lubricant here. Mar‑Lin Dock & Door carries the lubrication products you need to protect your garage door.
Note that garage door motors, both jackshaft and central styles, are designed to need no lubrication and are relatively maintenance free out of the box.
What you must avoid
While there are plenty of steps you can take to improve your home’s condition on your own, there are several things that you should avoid doing. The following are all issues that must be handled by a trained, professional garage door repair professional:
- Broken garage door springs – never attempt to change or replace springs, particularly torsion springs.
- Damaged lift cables – never try to repair or replace a lift cable that has become frayed or broken. The same thing applies if the cable has broken and wrapped around the drum.
- Damaged hinges – never try to repair or replace broken hinges/brackets at the bottom of your garage door.
- Tracks – if your garage door comes off the track, leave it where it is and call a professional.
- Damaged doors – if a garage door is damaged by an impact with a vehicle or in some other way, do not attempt to replace it yourself
The repairs above should only be attempted by qualified experts. This includes repairs to the spring system/counterweight system. Trying to do it on your own can lead to serious injury or even death.
The situations above should only be handled by specially trained garage door professionals. This is particularly true for spring system repairs or any element that is connected to the counterbalance/counterweight system. One wrong step here could result in serious injury or even death.
Would you like to learn more about garage door maintenance? If so, you will find a lot of value in this document, which provides additional details and information for business owners about commercial garage doors.
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