GENERAL CHECKS
A well looked after garage door moves smoothly and quietly as it opens and closes. As your door opens and closes look for any jerky movements and listen for any grating and scraping sounds. Visually look for any wear & tear and make sure everything looks symmetrical.
You can manually check the operation of your Garage Door (if your door is motorised, put it into manual mode before testing). Your door should go up & down smoothly with minimal effort. It should require roughly the same effort to open as it does to close. If your garage door is not running smoothly, heavy to lift or flying up, give us a call because poor operation can add unnecessary pressure on the motor which will effect its lifespan.
Check over the fasteners, it is not uncommon for fasteners to loosen over time. Inspect all screws, nuts & bolts to ensure they are tight.
If you have a Sectional Garage Door, visually check for any signs of wear & tear on the wire rope cables on each side of your door. Look for any signs of fraying or corrosion and if this is apparent, give us a call. These should only be adjusted by an experienced professional.
WARNING – DO NOT put fingers between door panels or near any moving parts when operating the door either manually or automatically.
SAFETY TEST
Take a few minutes to perform a safety reversal check.
- Place a 40mm high object under the door (like a block of wood).
- Operate the door to come in contact with the object.
- Door should bounce back from the object in less than a second (or two seconds if safety beams are installed). If this does NOT occur, your opener does not pass the safety test and does not meet the NZ standards.
SPRINGS
Your Garage Door will naturally loose spring tension and this is one of the main things we check & adjust where needed in a regular service. If your door is having trouble lifting give us a call.
WARNING – DO NOT attempt to make any adjustments as your door is under tension at all times. Spring adjustments can be very dangerous, call us to arrange one of our technicians to attend.
CLEANING
The exterior of your door is exposed to environmental elements that can cause corrosion and deterioration. Just like washing your house exterior or your car, washing your garage door will help keep your door in good condition and looking its best. We recommend washing your door every 2 weeks with clean water and a soft brush/cloth/sponge, or more often if you live by the sea. You can also use a mild detergent if needed such as dish liquid. An easy way to remember is when you wash your car, give the outside of your garage door a quick wash at the same time. For the inside, wipe down with a damp cloth & clean warm water.
With door seals, check these are clean and free from debris. For the rubber seal on Roller & Sectional Doors, use a damp cloth to wipe clean.
WARNING – DO NOT get water on the Automatic Opener or any other electrical or mechanical components i.e safety beams.
LUBRICATION
Guide Tracks – DO NOT USE GREASE. For the best door operation the guides need to be clean not lubricated. Lubricants attract dirt & grime. We recommend using a cloth dampened with turps or methylated spirits to wipe the internal area of the tracks clean. For Roller Doors polish vigorously for a smooth surface to allow the Nylofelt to glide easy.
Hinges, Springs & Bearings – Lubricate with a light layer of silicone spray
Motor Rail (if chain drive) – Lubricate with chain lube
MAINTAINING YOUR CEDAR GARAGE DOOR
Timber Garage Doors create a unique feature point but need to be maintained regularly. Timber finishes (paint/stain) should be cleaned and maintained according to the timber finish product manufacturer’s recommendations.
This is important to get the best life out of your timber garage door and keep it in great condition.
SCHEDULE REGULAR GARAGE DOOR SERVICING
Just like getting your car serviced, garage doors need to be serviced regularly to ensure they keep operating efficiently and to ensure the longevity of your door.
Contact us and we will arrange one of our experienced Garage Door Technicians to come and service your door and we will keep a record of any repairs or maintenance required. We can set you up on a regular garage door servicing schedule & contact you to book in your next service.
