If you’re like most homeowners, then cleaning your garage door probably hasn’t made it very high on your list of priorities. We get it. There’s a lot going on. Finding the time to maintain your home just doesn’t seem to come as easily as it used to — but why is cleaning your garage door important to do?
Garage doors have a typical lifespan of about 20 years, or potentially much longer is maintained properly. When you clean your garage door, you are protecting your investment and prolonging the life of a door you use many times a day. Your garage door is a highly visible, hard-working surface that is subjected to all sorts of use and abuse on a daily basis. And yet, during the warm weather months, we often neglect to give our garage doors the same kind of care that we give our homes’ windows, patios and other exterior areas.
Spring is around the corner here in Central Kentucky, and there’s no better time than the present to start your spring cleaning by showing a little love to your garage door.
For Optimal Results When Washing Your Garage Door :
Wash the door surfaces and windows of your garage with a mild liquid soap (such as a car-washing soap or dish-washing soap) and water. Wash both the interior and exterior using a sponge, cloth and/or soft brush.
Do not use harsh or abrasive detergents. This can damage the painted surface of the door or the seals.
Rinse thoroughly with a hose, but do not use a pressure washer. This, too, can damage the surface.
If you are cleaning something more stubborn than dirt or road salt, such as oil stains, you can spot-clean the area with a diluted bleach and water solution. Be sure to never mix bleach with other cleanser because the mixture will cause harmful fumes. Immediately after spot cleaning, rinse all surfaces thoroughly.
After washing, and every six months to protect the door's finish, your door should be waxed. Use a good quality car wax, following instructions on the package. CAUTION: Do not apply wax to AccuFinish™, ArmorFinish™ or anodized aluminum doors.
If you detect surface rust, contact us for inspection and repair options.
Also inspect and clean the weather strip at the bottom of the door. Applying a vinyl protectant will prolong its life. It's important that this bottom strip is in good shape and in full contact with the garage floor. That will help to insulate your garage as well as to keep rodents and insects out. If it is showing signs of wear or cracking, give us a call and we can come out and replace that for you.
As a final step, you should clean and organize the areas around the garage door. Remove any stacks or objects that could fall over and obstruct the path of the garage door or damage the track.
It’s also a good time to do a quick maintenance check and tune-up.
Inspect springs and hardware for signs of wear. Avoid any contact with the torsion springs as they are under extreme tension. Call a Raynor Garage Doors & Gates of Lexington to schedule a service call if you suspect any problems.
Lubricate the tracks and hinges with a silicone or Teflon®-based spray. Do not use WD-40® type lubricant (oil-based) or grease. Then open and close the door to distribute the lubricant.
And finally, tighten any loose screws or nuts. Caution should be used around any nuts or bolts with "Red" heads. These are under extreme tension.
Cleaning your garage door should be a regular part of home maintenance for any homeowner. As you’re cleaning, you may come across potential problems or concerns with your door. When those issues arise, call Raynor Garage Doors & Gates of Lexington, KY. If you suspect that your garage door needs to be repaired, or possibly replaced, our experienced, friendly staff are ready to help.
Raynor Garage Doors & Gates of Lexington is located at 1033 Rushwood Ct. Lexington, KY 40511 and services all of Central Kentucky. Contact us today at 859-233-0802.
Source:
“How to Clean Your Garage Door” Raynor.com. Accessed online at https://blog.raynor.com/blog-garage-door-cleaning
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