With the arrival of warmer weather, home owners are surely planning their indoor and outdoor spring cleaning schedule. While your to-do list might already be quite full, do not neglect the inspection of your garage door. The harsh winter months and spring melt can definitely impact the functioning and appearance of your garage door. As such, spring is a great time to perform a garage door inspection to ensure your door works properly. Here is our mini checklist for your spring garage door inspection and maintenance.
#1: A Proper Garage Door Inspection Starts With A Thorough Cleaning
To properly inspect and maintain your garage and garage door, you will need to clean. Because, let’s face it, garages get dirty and messy. Clean the floor with soapy water to remove automotive oil stains and other chemicals. Fill in any cracks to avoid further damage. Additionally, you should clean the drainage channel. This is an essential step of any garage door inspection and maintenance plan. A blocked channel can lead to flooding and other problems. You should also wash your garage door. This will allow you to check for rot on wooden doors or rust on metal ones. For wooden doors, apply a coat of paint or stain and sealant. If a metal door has rust spots, you can sand them down. Then, apply a zinc primer and appropriate latex paint.
#2: Get Rid Of Critters, Creepy Crawlers And Other Four-Legged Creatures!
Unfortunately, bugs and pests always seem to find a way into your garage. First, check to make sure your garage is currently pest free. If you do notice any infestations or unwanted guests, get rid of them. If needed, call a professional pest control company. Second, clean the interior of the garage and dry any damp areas with a portable fan. Insects love moisture! Third, fill in any cracks with silicone caulk and make sure your garage door closes properly. Finally, remove any food, lay traps and spray pesticide around doors, windows, walls and entrances.
#3: Your Garage Door Inspection Should Also Include An Examination Of The Foundation
Walk around the garage and inspect the walls and foundation. Make sure there are no cracks as they can let in water and moisture. If water gets in, this can cause mould, which will lead to greater problems. Fill in any cracks to avoid further damage. On top of this, you should also check the slope of the terrain. Any major differences in slope can be an issue and you should contact a contractor to solve the problem.
#4: Inspect The Hardware And Weather Stripping
Once you have cleaned the door and the interior and inspected the foundation, it is time to check the hardware. Look closely for any rusted, loose, or frayed pieces and replace as needed. Then, oil all moving parts. This will ensure your garage door mechanism runs smoothly and quietly. You should also inspect and replace all worn weather stripping.
#5: Test The Remote And Safety Features Of Your Garage Door
Finally, test to make sure your automatic opener works properly. Check batteries in remote control, try all switches, and remove dust, grime and debris from sensors. You should also perform a test of the emergency release mechanism. This will ensure your garage door is safe and secure.
A proper garage door inspection is key to avoiding further damage or problems. You can easily do most of the maintenance and repairs yourself. However, if you notice bigger issues, call in a professional. Les spécialistes des portes Exitech inc. will be happy to assist you. Contact us today for more information or for any repair and maintenance questions.
Add new comment