Garage doors not only provide an easy way into your house but also greatly affect the curb appeal. These doors are the largest moving bodies in your home. It is important to keep up with door maintenance for your safety. A damaged or broken door can inflict heavy damages to your vehicle, house safety and can even cause fatal injuries.

The hardware has various parts that need lubrication from time to time and must be replaced after a set number of operations. Once you see any of the visible signs of damage or hear some unusual noises, hire experts for garage door repair. You should not risk your health or life attempting DIY methods. But it is better to learn well about our garage doors.

If you have a garage in your house, the door will be one of the three following types.

Roll Up Doors:

The most popular garage door type is roll-up or sectional doors. The door frame has vertical tracks, and solid sections move upward on these tracks. On average, there are three to eight sections. The sections are guided by the tracks into the horizontal tracks in the garage ceiling after passing through a sharp curve.

It is considered the safest door type. Such doors are expensive to install and require huge spaces. The numerous moving parts make it difficult to maintain.

Swing Up Doors

Swing-up doors have supplanted the swing-up doors in most of the areas but some homes still rely on these doors. They are also called canopy or overhead doors.

Torsion springs are the core parts. They pull the door panels upwards and inwards the storage space. It requires less storage as compared to sectional doors as there are no tracks in the ceilings.

Swings up doors are quite affordable and are easy to install. The repair and replacement are far less complicated than the roll-up doors. The liability risks involved are often very high. A close standing vehicle can be harmed easily.

Swing Out Doors

The least popular door type is swing outdoor. Though these doors are less popular among the masses, they are chosen by the people who like vintage look for their homes. The doors are side-hinged and mostly require manual opening.

One can install an electrically operated door but they very expensive. Such doors rarely break down and are a cause of the accident. The hinges and latches are the only moving parts. It is easy to repair and replace.

Most of the homeowners consider it less safe when it comes to a home invasion. The doors have only a few inches of clearance and require complete removal of snow before they can be opened. It can be a bit difficult in the winter.

Door Maintenance Tips To Prevent Unfortunate Accidents

1. Lubricate The Hardware

Well-lubricated moving parts of a garage door reduce the stress of abrasion. Regularly lubricate the rollers, door openers, pulleys, and tracks to prolong the door life. White lithium grease is a high-quality lubricant spray that ensures smooth functioning.

2. Keep The Tracks Clear

Garage door tracks tend to accumulate dirt and dust. Dirty tracks pose a hindrance to the movement. Make sure that the tracks are regularly cleaned. Remove any physical hindrance in the pathway for smooth operation.

3. Regular Inspection

It is suggested to regularly inspect the garage door instead of only paying attention when something goes wrong. Tighten the hardware and springs. Test the balance and auto-reverse features. Always rely on professionals for timely repairs and replacements.