After another cold season, the warmer weather is finally returning! Minnesotans get excited for the changing seasons every year, but after a winter of lockdowns and canceled events, it’s perfectly understandable that we are a bit more anxious to get out and about.
Spring brings plenty of maintenance chores for homeowners and businesses. Cleaning up the yard, prepping the garden, and cleaning the gutters are all pretty standard, but have you put much thought into cleaning and maintaining your garage door? Discover some springtime maintenance tips for your garage below:
Declutter and Clean the Interior
The first step is to keep the interior of your garage clean and organized, but it benefits your garage door as well. Keeping a clean and well-organized garage can protect your garage door from possible falling materials that can cause damage, block the door, or even become a fire hazard. Yes, messy garages are dangerous!
Pick an especially nice spring day, as you’ll want to remove everything from your garage that is not attached to the floor, ceiling, or walls. This makes a full floor-to-ceiling cleaning much easier. You’ll also be able to better identify the items you are storing in your garage. Group everything into categories, such as keep, donate, recycle, toss, and sell. If you’re having a tough time categorizing your items, think of the Marie Kondo organization rule: if it doesn’t spark joy, get rid of it.
Clean the Garage Door Inside and Out
Just like many other outdoor spaces and features, your garage door gathers debris and dirt throughout the year. Begin the season by giving it a good clean. Rinse your garage door with a hose. Then, use a sponge or cloth and clean it with water and dish soap. Pay attention to any window panels or inserts that can hold on to excess grime. Be sure to wash both the inside and outside of the door.
After the door is cleaned, you can attend to the rest of the garage! You might want to wait for an exceptionally warm day, but cleaning and organizing your garage at the beginning of the season will set you up for a more organized and less stressful summer.
Check for Repairs
Once your garage is clean and organized, check your garage door for potential repairs or problems. Inspect any seals for cracks or rips that might require replacing. Make sure the moving parts of your garage door, such as pulleys, springs, tracks, rollers, and hinges are well lubricated. Check for buildup, clear excess grease if needed, and apply a new layer of lubricant. Consult your user manual for guidance. If you aren’t confident in cleaning or maintaining some of the more complicated areas, consult an expert.
Lastly, check that your garage door opener is in good working order. Test any safety functions and make sure that your garage door opener’s photo eyes are working and properly aligned. As you inspect your garage door, be on the lookout for rust, warping, or other signs of old age. It might be time to consider a replacement.
If you decide that this is the year to replace your garage door, American Door Works can help. We have garage door options to fit any size, style, and function your home or business could need. Browse our website to learn more.