Even though the weather is hot right now and summer fun is still in full swing, it’s never too early to start planning ahead for the coming months. When it comes to getting a handle on maintenance for the fall, it never hurts to start early—scheduling tasks like gutter cleaning and so forth for the autumn is something that can be planned in the summertime, and the same is true for the maintenance of garage doors.

Conducting a garage door safety check in Rancho Cordova, CA is a vital part of making sure your door always works and can be relied upon to perform smoothly throughout the fall and winter.

Test the balance

Testing the balance of the door is a great way to begin your garage door fall safety check in Rancho Cordova, CA. Start by disconnecting the door from the opener (usually by pulling on the red cord). Next, manually lift the door and hold it at waist height, being careful to keep it steady. Now, release the door—it should stay at waist height. If it falls on its own, it needs adjusting, and if it goes up towards the ceiling, then that usually means the springs are too tight. These scenarios indicate that the springs are being put under stress and will need to be checked out by a professional—reach out to Action Door Service for help.

Look it over

One major element of identifying problems during a garage door safety check in Rancho Cordova, CA is trusting your eyes and knowing what you should be looking for. The tracks shouldn’t be bent or rusty, for starters, and neither should the rollers that run on the tracks be in similarly poor condition. You can also take a look at the cables for any sort of fraying or rust, which are problems that are best to nip in the bud early.

Additionally, close the door and make sure the seals are working properly—you should not be able to see daylight around any part of the door. The hinges should also be free of rust or cracks, since this can lead to big problems down the road. If any of these parts are damaged or deteriorating, it’s time to call the pros to replace them.

Don’t ignore the bottom seal

At the bottom of your door, between the door and the floor, there should be a seal (also called an astragal), which is usually a black flap or shaped like a tube. Make sure this seal is in good condition during your garage door safety check in Rancho Cordova, CA, as it can be a great entry point for small pests seeking warmth and shelter in the wintertime, as well as a source of air leaks.

Making sure your garage door is in good shape before winter rolls around is a great way to get ahead of any necessary repairs. Small problems can become big ones if you don’t deal with them in time, so it’s important to tackle them before they get out of control. If you find any issues with your garage door during your seasonal check, call Action Door Service to schedule an appointment!