How To Install A Garage Door And Maintain Its Appearance 

A person operating a remote-controlled garage door.

A deteriorated garage door can often lead to several unforeseen accidents. Since you may use it as an entrance and exit to your home more than the front door, you would want to make sure it’s safe for use and secures your home.   

However, many homeowners tend to overlook a deteriorating garage door that can cause security and accident woes and expensive repairs.

A well-maintained garage door is not only essential for your safety and security but also enhances your home’s curb appeal, thereby to its value.   

In this article, we’ll discuss how to install a garage door and maintain its appearance.   

How To Install A Garage Door?

Knowledge of the basics of garage door installation and maintenance can save a lot of money. One of the first things that you will want to learn is how to adjust the spring tension, as too much of it will cause the door to slam shut and create a lot of noise. You should also learn how to use a screwdriver. To get started, you should take off the automatic opener and then unscrew the garage door from the ceiling. Learn more about installations before you try to make any adjustments to the springs.  

Step-By-Step Installation Process

A change in your garage door can cost you several dollars. Thus, before you start, make sure you’re clear about whether to install or repair your garage door. Once you’ve decided to install, you may follow the DIY installation process given below.   

Step 1: Loosen The Torsion Spring

Before you start work on your garage door, release tension from the torsion spring. You can do this by clamping the locking pliers onto the torsion spring shaft and wedging the pliers against the header wall.   

Step 2: Disconnect The Garage Opener And Door

After releasing tension from the torsion spring, disconnect the garage door opener from the door. Begin by removing the door panels and disconnecting the track by unscrewing it from the door frame.   

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Step 3: Install The Door Panels   

Now you can start installing the door panels. Be sure that that the bar is at the center of the panel. Then drill pilot holes and secure the bar with screws. Place the bottom panel into the door opening and drive a nail into it to hold it in place. Attach the next panel on top of the first one.   

Step 4: Install The Track   

Start the process by securing the top part of the hinge to the panel. Then place the wheeled axles into the hinges before installing the track. Do this by attaching brackets to the track pieces. Make sure that the wheels properly lie on the track.   

Step 5: Spring Assembly   

Prepare the pieces for spring assembly and attach them to the track. Refer to the instructions manual to ensure that you’re installing your garage door correctly.   

Step 6: Bolt The Tracks

After assembling the spring, attach the horizontal track with the vertical one by drilling a hole and bolting them together. Tighten the bolts.    

Step 7: Install The Torsion Rod And Pulleys

Attach the spring anchors to the spring and attach the spring locking cone. Slide the torsion rod into the side header brackets and attach the pulleys to each end of the rod.   

Step 8: Attach The Cable   

Attach the cable to the pulley wheels. You may tighten a pair of rock pilers to the rod on the outside of the bracket to prevent the rod from turning when you tighten the springs.  

Step 9: Tighten The Springs

Finally, tighten the spring. You may check the instructions manual to know how many times the spring needs to be turned around for tightening. After achieving the appropriate tension, tighten the bolts and lock them in place.   

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A man repairing a garage door.

Tips For Garage Door Maintenance

Regularly perform garage door maintenance to ensure that it functions optimally. A well-maintained garage door doesn’t only keep your home safe and secure; it also plays a crucial role in enhancing your home’s curb appeal.   

Below, we look at some of the top tips for garage door maintenance.   

Inspect The Tracks

Make sure that your tracks are free from dirt, debris, and rust. Use a level to check the plumb. If there are any small adjustments required, you may do it yourself. However, if there are any major repairs needed, call a professional.  

Listen To Your Door

A well-maintained garage door will open and close smoothly, without any noise. Grating sounds and jerky movements are manifestations of problems in your garage door. Also ensure that the pulleys, cables, and springs are aligned symmetrically.   

Tighten The Hardware

If you use your garage door frequently, it will make thousands of up and down movements each year. Movements lead to the loosening of the door tracks and hardware. To check the hardware, examine and tighten the roller brackets holding the door tracks and the fasteners anchoring the garage door opener unit to the frame.   

Test The Door Balance

One of the most important things to remember while checking your garage door is to determine garage door balance. Without proper balance, the garage door opener will have to work much harder and easily gets worn out.   

To check your garage door’s balance, start by disconnecting the release handle and moving the door halfway up. The door should remain in place without any support. Otherwise, it means that the springs aren’t well balanced. In this case, call on a professional to fix it for you.   

Check The Rollers

Most garage door rollers are made of either steel or nylon. They ideally should be tested twice a year. If you find that your rollers are chipped or worn out, you may replace them yourself. Replacing rollers can be done by simply removing the brackets holding them to the door. Ideally, you should change your garage door rollers every five to seven years.   

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Lubricate Moving Parts

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your garage door operates seamlessly for years is to regularly grease its moving parts like the rollers and door openers. Use a high-quality spray lubricant made out of high lithium grease. For hinges and rollers that may seem stuck, use a penetrating solution.  

Always remember to lubricate the pulleys on extension spring openers and torsion spring openers.   

Replace The Weather Stripping

The rubber weatherstripping at the bottom of the door helps keep the cold weather out and prevents dust, dirt, and debris from entering your home. Thus, you have to check it twice a year. If the weather stripping at the bottom of the door is brittle or worn out, replace it right away.   

Check The Cables And Pulleys   

When inspecting cables and pulleys for any wear and tear, avoid touching the high-tension springs and cables as these can be dangerous. If you spot any damage, call a service professional to fix it.   

Test The Auto-Reverse Feature

Automatic garage doors have an auto-reverse feature that stops them and reverses their direction if an object is detected in its path while it is closing. You may test the auto-reverse feature’s pressure sensor by placing a flat board on the door’s path. If the door reverses its direction when it senses the flat board, then it’s working. Otherwise, you may need to call a professional to fix it.   

Paint Your Garage Door

After you’ve checked the garage door for any functional glitches look for material-based deterioration. Steel-made garage doors may develop rust spots. Sand and prim it before painting. If your garage door is made of fiberglass, clean it with an all-purpose cleaner. But if you have a wooden garage door, you need to check for warping and water damage.  

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Things To Consider Before Installation

 If you’re inexperienced in installing garage doors, it’s advisable to get a professional to do the job. It may not be an easy task for many, and sometimes getting a professional to do the job is a safer and convenient option. If you’re looking for professionals for garage door installation or repair, check https://www.portesdegaragemb.com. Assist them during the process so you could learn how to do it properly.  

Importance Of Garage Door Maintenance

Garage doors need maintenance to ensure that they work correctly. Not only does the cost of garage door repair increase with time and use, but it also indicates the door’s condition. A well-maintained garage door is essential to ensure the safety and security of your home. A beautiful garage door improves your home’s curb appeal, increasing its value. 

Winter Maintenance

Family Christian Doors recommends engaging in proactive winter maintenance to protect your garage door from the harsh elements. Winter brings an assortment of issues leading to risks of wear and tear. Extreme cold not only leads to jammed springs and cables but can also cause rusting and insulation woes. Even if you are not having problems with your garage door, thoroughly check it during winter to avoid irreparable damages.

Conclusion

The most obvious problems that can occur with your garage door are damages to the motor and springs. If these issues do arise, make sure to call on a professional garage door service to check your garage door. They can advise you on replacing your garage door or repairing it. However, for small repairs, you may follow a DIY process.  

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