Garage Door Tune-Up

Photo 1: Tighten the nuts and bolts

Because your door moves, the hardware can loosen. Inspect and tighten all roller brackets and the bolts that hold the rails to the support brackets.

Photo 2: Inspect the rollers for wear and tear

Photo 3: Inspect the lift cable for wear

Look for broken strands. Damage is most likely to occur where the cable attaches to the bottom roller bracket, where it's most exposed to moisture. Clear away the gunk from this area with an old toothbrush so you can check the condition of the cable. Since this cable is under high tension, don't try to replace it yourself. Call a garage door professional to replace it.

Photo 4: Lubricate the chain or screw

Lubricate the chain or the screw on your opener annually with white lithium grease. Spray-on versions are available at most home centers. Lubrication will make the opener's operation smoother, quieter and extend the life of both chain and opener.

Note: Some screw openers do not require lubrication. Check your Owner's Manual.

Photo 5: Lubricate the springs

Coat the overhead torsion springs or the extension springs mounted above roller tracks with a lubricant/ cleaner like WD-40. Don't wipe off the excess. All springs will eventually break because of metal fatigue and/or corrosion, but this annual maintenance will prevent corrosion.

NOTE: Replacing springs is a job for a professional. If one spring breaks, both should be replaced

Photo 6: Replace the weather seal

Replace the weather seal on the bottom of your door if it's brittle and worn. On wood doors, remove the old seal with a flat pry bar. Install the new seal with the wide angle of the flange to the inside of the door. Use 1-in. galvanized roofing nails to attach one end of the seal, then pull it across the door and nail the other end. Next place a few nails in the center. This technique will help you keep the seal aligned as you go back and place nails every 3 to 4 in.

Photo 7: Test your door

Test the balance of your door. A properly balanced door is less likely to crush someone or something and keeps your door opener from working too hard. First, disengage the opener from the door by pulling the opener release handle (see opening photo). Then lower the door about halfway. A properly balanced door will hold the halfway position without assistance. If the door rides back up, the springs are under too much tension. If it falls, the tension needs to be increased. Adjusting the spring tension is tricky and dangerous. Call a garage door professional to perform the service!

Photo 8: Test the auto reverse feature

Test the auto reverse feature of your automatic opener by placing a 2x4 directly under the point where the opener is attached to the door. The door should reverse direction within two seconds after coming to a stop. If your door opener doesn't have an auto reverse feature, buy a new opener.

Photo 9: Install lift handles

Install a lift handle on both sides of the door. Make sure the handle will clear the top of the door frame; otherwise, you may need a lower-profile handle or your door may need adjustment. If there's a handle, you're less likely to pull down on the spaces between sections, a habit that results in hundreds of crushed fingers every year.

Photo 10: Bolt the cable to the bracket

Mount an extension spring containment cable on extension spring- type doors by bolting one end to the bracket at the front of the upper rail.

Photo 11: Feed the cable through the spring

Feed the cable through the extension spring and bolt the other end to the upper support bracket. Make one full loop of the cable around the bolt and secure it with a fender washer and a locknut.