Garage Door Maintenance Checklist for Every Season
A garage door is the largest moving part of most homes. It runs hundreds of times a year. A few minutes of attention each season can catch problems early. Use this checklist as a guide. It does not replace the instructions from your door maker.
Every month
- Watch and listen as the door moves. Note new noises or jerking.
- Check that the door stops level and moves smoothly.
- Make sure nothing is stored where it can block the sensors or the door.
- Test the auto-reverse feature. This guide shows the box test.
Fall: before the cold
- Look at the bottom seal and the side stops. Read when to replace weatherstripping.
- Lubricate the hinges and rollers. See the steps.
- Replace remote and keypad batteries before winter. The remote guide covers what else to check.
- Clear leaves and dirt from the floor under the door.
Winter
- Keep snow and ice from building up under the door. Cold weather problems explains the risks.
- Rinse road salt off the lower part of the door.
- Do not keep pressing the button if the door is stuck.
Spring
- Wash the door and wipe the tracks clean.
- Look at the hinges and brackets for loose bolts. Tighten only hinge and track bolts. Never touch the bottom brackets.
- Look at the cables for fraying. These are the signs of a frayed cable.
Summer
- Wipe the sensor lenses with a soft cloth.
- Check the opener light and the wall control.
Once a year
Have a trained technician inspect the springs and cables and the balance. Springs wear out with use. How long springs last helps you plan. Signs such as a heavy door or an uneven lift are in this guide on balance problems.
Leave these to a professional
Springs and cables and bottom brackets and drums hold a great deal of force. Do not adjust or loosen or remove them. If you see a gap in a spring or a frayed cable stop using the door. Our garage door spring repair page explains how we handle spring problems. Our cable repair and opener repair pages cover those jobs.
Want a professional to check the door?
Call us or send a request. We will look at the springs and cables and the opener and tell you what we find.
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