DIY Network

Garage Door Summer home maintenance garage door tips From "Home Maintenance" episode DHMW-102

In this final segment of "Summer" maintenance tips, host Tim Hockenberry discusses the best ways to take care of your garage door.

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Garage Door Maintenance

Materials:

Lubricant
Wrench
Car wax
Cloth

• The garage door is probably the largest moving part around the house and of course it gets used a lot, so it is very important to keep it properly maintained. First, check all the moving components of the door mechanism to make sure none are bent or broken.

• Check and lubricate the rails and axels and make sure the axels are tight and secure.

• Lubricate the hinges, springs, rollers, etc. with a light household oil.

• Using a soft cloth, wipe down the door with a household detergent diluted with water.

• You can apply car wax to the door to keep it free of dirt and moisture.

• On most garage door systems you can adjust the sensitivity of the door operation. Consult your manual to find out how.

• Keep wooden doors painted inside and out, and caulk any cracks or gaps.

• Check the weather sealant at the bottom of the door. If it is cracked or broken, it must be replaced.

• Rust is a major enemy for any garage door. Yearly maintenance can help keep it away.

Figure A

Remove Rust

Materials:

Wire brush
Metal primer
Rust resistant paint
Paintbrush

• Just as rust can be a problem for the garage door, it can be a problem other places around your house, especially on outdoor metal railings. If left unchecked, it can eat through the metal, weakening the railing and making it unsafe to use.

• Take a wire brush and scrape as much of the loose rust off of the railing as you can. If possible brush all the way down to the bare metal, then prep for painting.

• Apply a metal primer to the affected area.

• And the paint you use should be rust resistant. Dealing with this sort of rust every summer ensures that your railings stay sturdy and reliable for years.

Miscellaneous Tips:

• Do you wrap your stovetop drips pans in foil? It is a good and safe way to keep them clean, right? Wrong -- manufacturers say wrapping them this way often blocks adequate air flow and could even cause an electrical short. Instead of wrapping them, run them through the dishwasher or just replace them with new ones.

• You should be changing furnace filters every month throughout the year (figure A). Both the furnace and the AC force air through the same filter, so it is important to keep it clean.

• Check skylights if you have them. They are notorious sources of mysterious water problems.

• It is a good idea to clean and tighten the showerheads in your bathrooms. This will reduce blockage from mineral deposits.

DIY Home Maintenance Seasonal Checklist "Take Care of Your House and It Will Take Care of You!"...and you can start by printing out DIY's PDF checklist file.