A little maintenance each season prevents expensive repairs. Here's the complete checklist Ottawa homeowners should follow to keep their garage door running through our extreme climate.
Fall Checklist (October)
1. Lubricate all hinges, rollers, and springs with low-temp silicone spray. 2. Apply silicone to the bottom seal to prevent winter freezing. 3. Test the auto-reverse safety feature. 4. Check weather stripping on all sides — replace if cracked or compressed. 5. Tighten all visible bolts and screws. 6. Test the battery backup if your opener has one.
Winter Checklist (January)
1. After major snowfalls, clear snow from the bottom of the door before operating. 2. Check that safety sensors are clear of ice and snow. 3. If the door is sluggish, add lubricant — cold thickens it. 4. Replace opener remote battery if range has decreased. 5. Inspect the bottom seal for freeze damage.
Spring Checklist (April)
1. Wash the door interior and exterior. 2. Check for rust on springs, cables, and tracks — treat with rust inhibitor. 3. Inspect cables for fraying. 4. Re-lubricate all moving parts with spring lubricant. 5. Check door balance: disconnect opener, lift door halfway, it should stay in place. If it drops, springs need adjustment.
Summer Checklist (July)
1. Inspect panels for dents or warping from heat. 2. Check weather stripping again — UV degrades rubber. 3. Test all safety features. 4. Listen for new noises — grinding, scraping, or popping warrant a service call before they become expensive.
Annual Professional Service
Even with good DIY maintenance, we recommend a professional service call once per year. A technician will check spring tension, cable condition, and opener force settings — things that are unsafe or difficult to check yourself. Our full maintenance tune-up is $150 and covers the full system.
NEED A GARAGE DOOR REPAIR IN OTTAWA?
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