Garage Door Maintenance Tips: Keep Your Garage Door Running Smoothly All

Year Round

Want to learn more tips and tricks on how to maintain your garage door?

At Purple Patch Doors, we help homeowners across Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Tweed Heads keep their garage doors safe, quiet, and reliable with some simple DIY maintenance tips. Here’s how you can extend the life of your garage door and avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Your garage door is one of the most frequently used and hardest-working features of your home—opening and closing multiple times a day in all weather conditions. Just like your car, it needs regular care to perform at its best.

1. Keep Your Garage Door Clean

Dust, leaves, and spider webs love to gather around your garage door’s moving parts—especially along the tracks and sensors. Every few months, gently clean the:

• Door panels
• Tracks (not inside them)
• Sensor lenses

Use mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or pressure washers, which can damage the paint and components.

2. Lubricate Moving Parts Regularly

Smooth, quiet operation depends on proper lubrication. Every 6–12 months, apply a garage door lubricant (not WD-40) to the:

• Hinges
• Metal rollers
• Torsion springs

🚫 Do not lubricate nylon rollers or tracks. Instead, just wipe them clean.

Keeping your door well-lubed helps prevent wear and tear, reduces noise, and improves performance.

3. Check the Garage Door Balance

An unbalanced door forces the motor to work harder, which shortens its lifespan. Here’s a quick test:

1. Pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the opener.
2. Manually lift the door halfway and release it.

✅ If it stays in place, the balance is good.
❌ If it slams shut or springs up, the springs may need professional adjustment. Contact Purple Patch Doors—never try to adjust high-tension springs yourself.

4. Inspect the Weather Seal

The rubber seal at the bottom of your door keeps out rain, dust, and pests. Over time, it can crack, shrink, or fall off. If it’s damaged or missing:

• Replace it with a new garage door weather seal.
• Ensure it’s snug against the floor to improve insulation and reduce drafts.

This quick fix can also help lower your energy bills.

5. Test Garage Door Safety Features

Modern automatic garage doors are fitted with essential safety systems. Test them monthly to ensure they’re working:

• Auto-reverse test: Place a block of wood under the door. It should reverse upon contact.
• Sensor test: While the door is closing, wave something in front of the photo sensors. It should stop and reverse instantly.

If these don’t work correctly, it’s time to call in a pro. Safety is non-negotiable.

6. Listen for Unusual Noises

Grinding, squeaking, or banging sounds are not normal. Your ears are often the first to catch a problem. If your garage door suddenly sounds louder or “off,” there may be a loose part, worn roller, or misaligned track.

Schedule a garage door service before a small issue turns into a costly repair.

Need Help with Garage Door Repairs or Servicing?

While these DIY steps help extend your garage door’s life, some jobs—like spring tension adjustments, motor issues, or cable replacements—are best left to qualified technicians.

Whether you’re in Brisbane, Gold Coast, or Tweed Heads, our friendly team at Purple Patch Doors is ready to help. From garage door installations to regular servicing, we’ve got your back.

📅 Book Your Garage Door Service Today

📞 Call us on 07 5537 2892

🌐 Visit us: www.purplepatchdoors.com.au

📍 Local experts in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Tweed Heads

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