If you own an aluminum garage door, there’s good news! These doors require little maintenance and last for decades. Aluminum garage doors are lightweight, so they put little wear and tear on standard garage door openers.
They’re also corrosion-free, so they never rust. They’re durable, easy to recycle, and they look good with regular cleaning. Below are three things we recommend you do to take care of your aluminum garage doors.
Aluminum garage doors are durable and long-lasting when cared for properly.1. Insulate for Cold or Hot Weather
Aluminum garage doors excel in many ways, but they’re not known for their energy efficiency. If maintaining an efficient, comfortable garage is one of your priorities, insulating your aluminum garage door can help you with this goal. Insulation kits are available for sale in home improvement stores and online.
You can either put up your own garage door insulation or hire a professional to do it for you. Insulation kits come with instructions that make insulation relatively easy, but it’s important to buy a kit that’s made for your door type and size. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before purchasing your product.
Now is the time of year to renew your garage door’s weatherstrip!It’s Weather Stripping Season
As we leave summer, now is the perfect time to weather strip your garage to protect it from the elements —especially before the winter weather approaches. To get started on your next maintenance project, be sure to read our guide on garage door weather stripping before getting started!
2. Clean Regularly
Wash your aluminum garage door regularly to remove grit and grime that could either lead to mildew growth on the door, or which could scratch the finish.
Cleaning a Garage Door is Pretty Similar to Cleaning the Siding On Your House
You can clean your garage door with soap and water. A soft bristle brush is great for gently scrubbing away dirt and grime without damaging the finish of the aluminum surface. You should never use harsh abrasives, solvents or petroleum products on your garage door as they can damage its finish!
Once you’ve scrubbed the garage door, use a garden hose to rinse off any remaining soap and grime. If your garage door has a window on it, keep in mind that the sun’s harsh rays can damage the finish of your door if left out in the sun. Take extra care to make sure all windows are covered when not in use so they’re protected from UV light damage.
Be sure to use a brush and cleaner that is gentle on aluminum surfaces.Remove any Loose Dirt and Debris with a Broom, Brush, or Leaf Blower
Use a leaf blower to blow away matted leaves or other debris from the top of the door, which may have collected over time as moisture has dried on its surface. Clean off any dirt and grime that has built up on the bottom side of your garage door by using an angle-brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner, making sure to get into all nooks and crannies where dirt tends to collect most easily!
3. Get Regular Tune-Ups
Like all other doors, aluminum garage doors need regular tune-ups. During tune-ups, your garage door contractor will check the wiring and connections, test the garage door opener safety features as well as the opener itself, lubricate the moving parts, and re-balance the door, if needed.
Know the Most Common Signs
It may be useful to know some of the most common garage door issues when diagnosing what exactly needs a tune up such as balancing issues or a broken garage door spring.
Because aluminum garage doors are so lightweight, they’re very easy on the mechanical parts of the door, so with periodic tune-ups, you can expect your garage door and opener to last a very long time.
As the heaviest and largest moving part in your home, regular inspections and maintenance of your garage door is crucial in preventing any potential health hazards in your home.Regularly Perform a Garage Door Inspection
Before calling a professional for your next garage door maintenance, it may help perform a pre-inspection so that the technician will be able to identify any possible issues before hand. Be sure to check out our article for a checklist to use for your next garage door inspection.
An Aluminum Garage Door Can Last a Lifetime if You Take Care of it Properly
If you have an aluminum garage door, cleaning it is a lot easier than you might think. If you are looking for the best way to clean your garage door, these are some simple steps to follow that will ensure your garage door looks great for years to come.
Contact Us for Your Aluminum Garage Door Tune-Up
Need a tune-up? This is the perfect time of year to check out your garage door’s mechanical parts.
Call Overhead Door of Oklahoma City today to make an appointment for a garage door tune-up. Thinking about replacing that old aluminum garage door? Contact us today for a quote for garage door replacement.
