Most of us look at our garage and realize it has become a dumping ground for everything we didn’t want to deal with over the winter. It can feel like a lot to handle all at once. However, making a dull chore fun by having some refreshments on hand will provide the motivation necessary to tackle the mess. Take a sunny Saturday to give your garage and the garage door some attention to protect your property and your family.
Washing Away the Salt and Winter Grime
Before you can commence with the rest of your cleaning, pull the cars out and give the floor a deep scrub to remove all the road salt that has accumulated. Salt is actually quite sneaky. It can eat away at the concrete and cause it to flake or crack over time if it is left to sit. You don’t need fancy tools to do this; a bucket of warm soapy water and a stiff broom will usually do the trick.
Checking the Health of Your Garage Door
Your garage door needs some TLC as well. Cold winter air can be very hard on the metal springs and rollers. While the door is closed, take a look at the tracks on either side to make sure they are straight and free of any spider webs or old grease that has turned into a sticky sludge.
Additionally, you need to listen closely when the door opens to see if it is making any new grinding or squeaking noises that weren’t there in the fall. If it is, a quick spray of specialized garage door lubricant on the rollers and hinges can make a world of difference.
Safety Testing the Sensors and Reverse Features
Safety is a must. This is especially true if you have pets or younger kids running around the driveway when the weather gets warm. You should test the photo-eye sensors located at the bottom of the door tracks to make sure they are still lined up correctly. You can do this easily by placing a roll of paper towels in the path of the door and trying to close it. If the door touches the object and immediately reverses, the safety system is doing its job perfectly. If it keeps pushing down, you might need to wipe the lenses with a soft cloth or adjust the brackets so that they are looking directly at each other again. If that doesn’t fix the problem, hire a professional immediately.
Once the cleaning and the safety checks are finished, you can finally focus on making the space work for you instead of against you. Move your winter gear to the back of the garage so that your summer tools are easy to reach. If you live in Baton Rouge, LA or a surrounding area and need garage door opener services, make your first call to Highland Garage Doors.
