Know About The Parts Of A Garage Door For Better Maintenance

It helps to know a little bit about the parts of a basic garage door system so that you can make your own repairs and perform regular maintenance

. It is always better to know about how the entries operate and what parts you should pay particular attention to in order to ensure the longevity of your investment and protect your family from unsafe conditions.

Types of Openings

Overhead garage doors can be opened manually or with a motorized automatic garage door opener. Both methods operate the same way and utilize the same basic parts; the only difference is that the automatic option involves the addition of a motor that can be remote operated to open and close the entry for you. You can also install hinge-style doors that open outwards, although these can be very inconvenient.

Parts

The most obvious component of any garage entry is the door, which can be made out of wood, steel, vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum. Wood is a very popular material but is less durable and more expensive than steel, which is a low maintenance alternative that can even be made to look like wood with faux grain patterns and textures.

The garage door glides along a track as it is either manually or automatically opened and closed. This track is mounted to the roof or sides of the structure by brackets. There are different track options available and some are designed to specifically work with certain types of openings.

So, be sure to consult with an expert before choosing a track setup. During installation it's very important that the tracks line up properly; you may want to consider hiring a professional for the initial install.

Every setup is a little bit different, but there will likely also be a spring and pulleys integrated into the system. You should always check the springs to make sure they aren't improperly operating and that they're free of rust.

The location of the springs depends on the type of entry; if it is a swing-up model they will be attached to an adjustment bracket on the door. Roll-up style doors utilize pulleys along with the spring for operation.

Maintenance

You can do some simple DIY maintenance a couple of times a year to keep everything working smoothly and avoid bigger problems down the road. Keep the track well-lubricated to ensure smooth operation; this can be done using a lubricant or powdered graphite. You should also do a spot check on all of the hardware, including the track and brackets, to make sure all the nuts and bolts are properly tightened.

by: Andrew Stratton

POST COMMENT

Garage Door Opener Basics - The Parts And How They All Work Together Replacing Your Garage Door Remote Opener The Advantages Of A Steel Garage Door Finding A Good Technician To Repair Your Garage Door Outdoor Surveillance Is As Important As Indoor Security System Why Steel Garage Doors Are A Good Option? The Benefits Of Steel Garage Doors And Why Folks Prefer Them To Wood Garage Door: How Different Parts Function Steel Garage Door: Know Its Benefits Before Buying How window and door security shutters can be of benefit to your property Home Security: Basic And Advanced Systems Police Duty Gear Is Not Easily Definable Police Equipment For Crime Detection