A garage door is an important part of your household that most people don't ever think about. A garage door needs to be properly maintained to ensure that it is working properly and operating correctly. Here is a list of maintenance tips that you can employ to help getting your garage door working at maximum efficiency.

Check The Sensors Alignment

Start by locating the sensors at the bottom of the inside of the garage door. Tie a piece of string to both sides of the sensor and then take a level and measure to make sure that the sensors line-up. If the string is not level you can make adjustments to the sensors to bring them up or down until they match up with the one on the other side. Sensors that are not properly aligned could cause the garage door to not be able to properly open or close.

Clear The Tracks & Lubricate Them

The garage door needs rollers to be able to move up and down when it opens and closes. Position a ladder close to the edge of the roller and then climb the ladder and check to make sure that the rollers are clear of any debris or obstructions. When one roller is clear climb back down the ladder and then repeat the process on the other side. Once both sides are clear, you can lubricate the tracks with an oil and water displacing spray to help the rollers maneuver easier when they slide up and down.

Wash The Garage Door To Remove Dirt & Debris

Over time the garage door can get a buildup of dirt on it and it needs to be cleaned. Fill a bucket with hot water and add a couple squirts of dish soap to create soapy water. Put a sponge in the hot water and then apply it to the garage door and cover the entire surface area of the soapy water. Let the soapy water sit on the garage for five full minutes to break down the dirt and grime before removing it. After five minutes, use a pressure washer to blast off the soapy water and apply pressure on hard to remove dirt spots.

If you follow the steps outlined above and your garage door is still not working properly then you should contact a garage door service person. A professional garage door repair service can also adjust the tension in the springs to make sure there is the proper amount of slack.