If you want to ensure that your garage door is going to last a long time, then you have to clean it regularly, especially the garage door tracks. You don’t want the tracks to get too grimy, as it can lead to rusting. If this happens, then you’re not only putting the reliability and safety of the garage door at risk, but you’ll also be putting your lives at risk. Accidents do happen because of faulty garage door tracks.
Here are some tips for cleaning your garage door:
When to Clean and the Materials to Use
Cleaning your garage door is very easy, and it’ll only take you half an hour to get the job done. You also don’t need special tools when cleaning the garage door as all you will only need your regular cleaning materials. If there are rusty spots in the garage door, you will also need sandpaper or steel wool to scrape away the rust. For the tracks and other moving parts, you will also need a lubricant.
Your garage door needs to be cleaned at least every six months. However, if you live in an industrial area or if you live near the sea, then you might need to clean it four times a year. This is because dirty air from the fumes as well as the higher salt content in the air from coastal areas can easily cause rusting.
Steps in Cleaning Garage Doors
Before you wash the whole garage door, you first need to check the garage door tracks as well as the moving parts like hinges and rollers. Use a clean rag to wipe away soot, oil, and grime; and if there is rusting, then you can use the sandpaper or the steel wool to get rid of it.
Once done, wash all surfaces with a mild detergent and water. Thoroughly scrub soot and grime away with a stiff brush, and rinse it off with clean water. After you’re through with the exterior, you can proceed with the interior.
When it comes to applying the lubricant, see to it that you’re only using lubricants specifically made for garage doors, a good example of which is white lithium grease. You need to apply lubricants to all moving parts, such as the roller wheel bearings as well as the garage door tracks and the axles and all the hinges. Once done, wipe away the excess lubricant then test the garage doors by opening and closing it. It’ll spread the lubricant further to the hard-to-reach areas. It’ll also assure you that the moving parts are working well.
Need Repairs?
In addition to cleaning the garage doors, you should also take the opportunity to check and see if there are parts that need replacement. Some of the most common problems are broken garage door springs and cable, damaged garage door section, as well as busted transmitters and circuit board.
If you have the technical know-how to replace these parts on your own, then you can easily do so. If not, then it’s advisable that you hire a reputable provider who can repair or replace garage door parts for you. You don’t want to do more damage to it as this can cost you more money.