Whether it’s an old faithful door that’s been doing the job for years, or a sparkling new one, the humble garage door could use a bit of attention in most homes. Garage doors in the UK take quite a lot of punishment. Home owners who take the time to maintain and clean their doors can feel the benefit in more ways than one.
A domestic garage door does a lot of work in the average household. It protects and shelters, provides an extra entrance and contributes to the look of the house as a whole. When these doors get run down, serious complications can arise. It’s best to make the garage door part of the household maintenance routine.
Here are some easy tips to help maintain your garage door:
Make use of a sponge regularly and prevent the rust appearing
The most common reason garage doors stay off the maintenance radar is because they’re so big and cumbersome to clean. However, the regular use of a basic household sponge can work wonders. A weekly swipe with a sponge keeps the garage door clear of cobwebs and dirt, meaning that more serious problems such as rust don’t have a chance to take hold.
Perform regular visual inspections
Anyone driving home mid-winter will know that remote control garage doors are well worth the investment. That investment is wasted if a leaky roof continually causes the receiver to short-circuit. Although an experienced installer should spot these kinds of problems, it’s always a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of the garage every week. Also please also double check that your automation kit is always plugged in. Very often visiting tradesmen and gardeners unplug the motor to use the socket for plugging in their electric tools or a lawn mower and forget to plug the motor back in.
Don’t overlook the minor things
Automatic doors aren’t the only type that benefit from regular inspections. The small parts of roller and hinged doors withstand several more winters when they’re regularly treated to an oil spray. The areas to look at include the hinges on the side hinged doors, locks, springs for up and over doors and rollers. It’s also important to ensure that the type of lubricant being used is suitable for the part being treated.
Don’t overdo it
A build-up of dust and oil can occur when owners are a little too enthusiastic about keeping their hinges oiled. Oil and other lubricants should be applied in a thin coat; anything more will attract dirt. The resulting gummy mess can be as much of a problem as the rust caused by total negligence.
Keep the cleaning regular and detailed
Cleaning a garage door isn’t necessarily fun, but it shouldn’t be avoided. Mud, dust, cobwebs and other general dirt can hide the beginnings of rust and other damage, so it’s important to get out and give the garage door a good scrub-down every so often. Keeping manufacturer instructions in mind, it’s usually best to use a mild detergent and a sponge or a cloth. Working by hand allows for close inspection, which ensures that damage is detected.