End of Summer Tips to Prepare Your Garage Door for Fall

1. End of Summer Tips to Prepare Your Garage Door for Fall It may be hot and humid outside right now, but before you know it, the leaves will turn beautiful shades of red and yellow before they fall to the ground. Chances are good that you’re already planning for your fall home maintenance, and if you haven’t added your garage door to your to-do list, you should. Here are some tips for making sure your garage door is ready for the fall weather. Look Your Garage Door Over One of the best ways to make sure your garage door is ready for use this fall is to simply give it a once-over to ensure it operates as it should. Some common signs of wear and tear that may require servicing include bent or warped door panels or tracks, missing or damaged weather stripping, or even odd sounds coming from your garage door when it opens or closes. All these things could signify an issue that will only get worse as time goes on, so if you notice them, be sure that you take the time to call for fall servicing. Give it a Good Cleaning Like anything else, your garage door will operate better and last longer if you keep it nice and clean. Though you won’t necessarily need to clean it once a week, giving it a good scrub each season is a great idea. First, remove any grass, dirt, or other debris that may be stuck to the door with a vacuum or a wet cloth. Then, look at the safety sensors, which ensure the garage door will not close if something is in its path. These should be cleaned and aligned every so often to keep them 100% accurate and operational. Finally, check the batteries in your garage door opener, and if you haven’t replaced them in a while, now is the perfect time to do just that. Check the Moving Parts Every garage door – whether it opens automatically or manually – has moving parts. You should look at the inside of your garage door and look for things like springs, hinges, and rollers designed to help your garage door move smoothly while staying in the proper alignment. Lubricating these parts will help them last longer by preventing cracks and chips, and if you happen to notice either of these, you should call for a garage door repair right away. Small cracks and chips may not seem like a big deal, but if they are not addressed right away, they could lead to serious issues later. Seal the Gaps If you park your car in an attached garage, keeping the heated air in this fall may feel like a challenge. However, if you utilize the proper weather stripping along the edges of your garage door, it will create a much tighter seal when it is closed, thus preventing your warmed air from leaking outside into the cold. You can buy sealer strip on your own, or you can call a professional to get the job done for you. By spending a little time this summer tending to your garage door, you can make sure it continues to look amazing and function as it should all throughout the fall. Many of these projects are DIY, but you can also call a professional for help – especially if you need repairs.