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When summer begins to wane, most people enter a state of denial, hanging on to whatever might remain of the long days, warm temperatures, and outdoor fun. We feel the same way; still, it’s also the right time of year to think ahead to Fall and make sure your garage door is ready for the cooler (and even colder) seasons ahead. The wrong time to think about this is when you’re surprised by the first snowstorm of the winter season, which can sometimes come much earlier than expected in central Indiana.
If you act sooner rather than later, you can prepare your garage door for colder weather and all the hazards it can bring: subfreezing temperatures, snow and ice, and pests looking for a warm place to camp out (and wreak plenty of havoc at the same time). A round of preventative maintenance will save you time and money and save you from the hassles and headaches of potential problems and issues. Garage Doors of Indianapolis (GDI) is a locally-owned company of experts you can trust to meet all of your garage door needs and has been since 1979.
An Ounce of Prevention vs. a Pound of Cure
You’ve no doubt heard the phrase: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This famous adage from none other than Benjamin Franklin himself dates back to 1735, but it’s as relevant today as it was back then. In the world of ever-rising medical and health insurance costs, investing in prevention clearly makes a lot of good sense. That same thinking can be applied to many different aspects in life, including your home’s garage door! The good news is that Garage Doors of Indianapolis has all the expertise and experience needed to provide you with all the maintenance services required to keep your garage door in good working order. If you do experience a malfunctioning garage door, however, we know how disruptive it can be, which is why more than four decades ago, we made a promise to all our customers and are proud to maintain this commitment today:
Call us this morning for service today!
Today? Yes, TODAY!
317-860-0806
Call us before 9:00 am, and we’ll get a technician out the same day to make sure you’re back up and running as quickly as possible with our expert repair services.
Now, let’s dive into the tips to get your garage door ready for Fall.
Trust Your Senses to Spot Potential Issues Early
You probably use your garage door nearly every day, which is why it’s easy to overlook gradual issues that develop over time, sort of like how you can become nose-blind to odors in your home. What you need to do, however, is really examine your garage door with fresh eyes on a regular basis. In fact, you should use all your senses (well, maybe not taste…) when checking over your garage door. Ask yourself questions such as these:
- Has the rate of opening and closing slowed?
- Are there pieces or parts coming out of place or not aligning?
- What can be done to help prevent more problems from arising?
A quick visual inspection of your garage door can tell you what you may need to have updated or serviced, and our maintenance team can help! Use your senses (sight, sound, and touch) to identify problems such as the following:
- Look for visible wear and tear on panels, tracks, and springs.
- Listen for unusual noises such as creaks, grinding, or loud operation.
- Test door alignment with a level and check for proper balance.
- Inspect and tighten all hardware, including bolts and roller brackets.
- Check for damage caused by summer heat or outdoor activities.
Your senses can reveal a lot about what’s happening with your garage door and what it might need in terms of maintenance and/or repair. If it’s more than you can handle, remember GDI is only a phone call away!
Clean and Maintain Garage Door for Optimal Performance
Like any part of your home, it’s important to keep your door and the area around it clean. Here are some things to look for when doing your Fall cleaning:
- Remove any dirt, grass, or debris. You may have some build-up left over from summer fun. Clean your door with mild detergent, which will help you notice if there are rust spots or peeling paint. Clean the nearby area with a pass of the vacuum hose or quick wipe with a wet rag.
- Clean and realign your safety sensors. This will help prevent accidents and injuries and ensure the door closes properly. The last thing you want is colder weather to roll in and a door with misfiring sensors.
- Vacuum the garage door tracks for smoother operation.
- Inspect and replace deteriorating weatherstripping for better insulation and energy efficiency. Learn more by reading some related resources: The Best Insulation Service in the Indianapolis Area, as well as Sealing a Garage Door to Keep the Weather Outside.
Most people focus on Spring cleaning; when it comes to your garage door’s health and longevity, however, Fall cleaning is way more important!
Keep The Moving Parts Running Smoothly
There are a number of moving parts to your garage door. Keeping those in good working order goes a long way toward keeping the door operating as smoothly and quietly as possible. Be sure to do the following:
- Lubricate rollers, hinges, springs, and other moving parts to prevent rust.
- Inspect components for cracks, chips, or rust and replace as needed.
- Test the auto-reverse safety mechanism using an object under the door.
- Ensure tracks are rust-free and properly aligned.
Moving parts are where things definitely wear down over time from many hundreds and thousands of openings and closings, so making sure the above happens on a regular basis, and especially ahead of Fall and Winter, is critically important.
Don’t Forget the Batteries and Bottom Seal
Check and/or change batteries. Not many things still run on alkaline batteries, but your garage door openers might. If you haven’t done so in a while, replace the current batteries with a fresh pair. It’s also helpful to keep spare batteries in your car.
Finally, inspect and/or replace the bottom seal to prevent drafts, moisture, and pests. Ensure the seal is intact to block rodents and other animals seeking warmth. Whether you’re coming in from a bonfire or back from a Colts game, make sure the cold weather and elements stay outside!
Your Local Trusted Garage Door Experts: Call GDI When You Need Us!
In this article, we’ve outlined quite a few different maintenance and service tasks you should pay attention to so your garage door will be ready for Fall and Winter. If all that is feeling like quite a bit more than you want to handle yourself, or you can tell your garage door needs professional help, we invite you to make the smart choice and let GDI’s expert garage door professionals provide all the maintenance and repair services you need to have the peace of mind that your garage door will reliably operate every time you need it. Get in touch with us through our contact page, or give us a call directly at 317-860-0806. We look forward to hearing from you!