Spring Garage Door Maintenance: 5 Things to Check This Weekend

Winter in the Pacific Northwest takes a toll on garage doors. Between the rain, wind, and occasional freeze, your door has been working hard since October. Now that spring is here, take 30 minutes this weekend to prevent expensive repairs later.

Your 5-Point Spring Checklist

1. Listen for trouble. Open and close your door and listen. Grinding, scraping, or popping sounds mean something needs attention. A healthy door sounds smooth and consistent.2. Check the weatherstripping. The bottom seal takes the most abuse. If it's cracked, torn, or letting daylight through, replace it before spring rains push water into your garage. A new bottom seal costs $20-$40 and takes 15 minutes to install.3. Lubricate the moving parts. Use white lithium grease on the hinges, rollers, and springs. Spray the track lightly. Do NOT use WD-40 — it's a solvent, not a lubricant, and it attracts dust.4. Test the auto-reverse. Place a 2x4 flat on the ground where the door closes. If the door doesn't reverse when it hits the board, your safety sensors need adjustment. This is a critical safety feature — don't skip it.5. Look at the springs. From a safe distance, visually inspect your springs for gaps, rust, or deformation. If you see anything wrong, call us — never attempt spring work yourself.

Need a professional tune-up? Our spring maintenance special includes a full 25-point inspection. Call us to schedule before the busy season hits.