Spring, like autumn, is a good time to maintain your garage door. To make sure you don't forget anything, we've put together a list of the steps.

Rolling garage doors – why and how often should they be maintained?

To ensure your garage doors serve as long as possible, it is necessary to give them regular care. We recommend carrying out a general inspection approximately once every 3 months, or at least once every six months. Regular cleaning also prevents increased wear on the surface of the slats, on which dust, sand and other aggressive impurities settle.

How to maintain garage doors?

1. Cleaning the slats (door leaf)

Clean both sides of your garage door. Never dry clean the surface, as dust particles could scratch the slats.

Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use high-pressure cleaners for cleaning. A strong jet of water could penetrate the cover box to the shaft, damage the tubular motor or destroy the control unit. Rolling door drives are not designed for direct water pressure. Water penetration can lead to damage to the motor or its failure.

2. Cleaning the guide rails and seals

To ensure that the door moves smoothly and without rubbing, you must keep the side aluminum rails clean.

3. Lubrication of mechanical parts

In rolling gates, maintenance of the mechanism is easier than in other types.  Never grease the inside of the guide rails or the slats themselves! Dust would stick to the grease and the gate would start to rub. Only the shaft bearings in the upper box, if accessible, and possibly the guide wheels, if your gate model uses them for running into the rails, deserve lubrication (e.g. with silicone oil or a suitable liquid lubricant).

4. Checking the smoothness of operation

Roller shutters with a drive do not have classic steel cables or external springs that you would have to balance. However, to verify proper operation, switch the door to manual mode (using the emergency handle or unlocking the drive) and try to pull it out and back in by hand. The door should move smoothly, without jamming, jolting or squeaking.

5. Remote control check

Last but not least, pay attention to the remote control. Wipe off any dirt from it once in a while. If you notice that the gate only responds after pressing it a few times or you have to go closer to the gate than usual, replace the battery as a precaution. Also check that the plastic cover of the remote control is tightly closed and protected from moisture.

Lubrication — what to use, what not to use and how to proceed

Lubrication is the most important and most frequently performed maintenance task. The hinges between the panels, the axles of the running wheels, the side rails along the entire length, and the torsion shaft should be lubricated. If you notice unusual noises or reduced performance, it's best to contact a trusted Garage Door Repair Dubai specialist for a professional inspection and maintenance service.

Lubrication procedure: first clean the surfaces with a cloth to remove dust and old grease, then apply new product. On the rails, spray the spray into the groove where the wheels move — not on the outer surface of the rail. On the hinges, apply a drop or a short squeeze of the spray to each joint, then open and close the door several times to distribute the grease. Wipe off excess grease — excess attracts dirt.

The torsion shaft of a sectional door is a steel beam on which the support cables are wound, and the springs are mounted. The shaft rotates every time the door is opened and closed — the friction points are mainly on the bearings at both ends of the shaft and where the shaft meets the threaded sockets. Apply a thin layer of silicone spray or lithium grease to these points, not the entire shaft. Over-lubrication will attract dust and cause more wear than dry friction.

What to do if the garage door has a problem?

If at any time during the year you notice that your rolling garage door is closing more slowly than usual, not closing properly, squeaking, or has another problem, do not hesitate to contact Garage Door Repair Dubai that installed your door. These experts know best how to solve the problem quickly and effectively.