Garage Door Maintenance: Get Your Door Ready for Winter This Autumn!
Between holidays, children’s activities, busy days and high temperatures, summer isn’t always the ideal time to tackle the jobs you’ve been putting off for months.
Haven’t had time to clean and maintain your garage door yet?
The good news is that autumn sometimes brings us some lovely mild, sunny days.
It’s the perfect opportunity to give your garage door a little attention before the cold and damp weather arrives.
Your garage door protects you every day. It deserves a little care in return!
1. Good maintenance starts with regular cleaning
We often remember to clean the outside of our garage doors because it is visible from the street or driveway. However, the inside of your garage door deserves just as much attention!
To get started, take the time to clean the different parts of your door:
The outside of the door panels: remove dust, marks and dirt that have built up over the months.
The seals between the panels and the bottom seal: remove any accumulated dirt and check their general condition.
The inside of the door: even if nobody sees it, it plays an important role in preserving your garage door.
The mounting areas and accessible mechanical components: remove dead leaves, dust and other debris.
At Ateliers Matterne, we regularly come across garage doors that appear to need adjustment, when in fact the springs, seals and mounting components are simply covered in dust and dirt that have accumulated over the years.
This build-up can trap moisture and eventually encourage corrosion on metal components. Regular cleaning helps limit the accumulation of dirt and makes it easier to spot any signs of wear.
Autumn: the season of falling leaves… and moisture!
Your garage door is designed to withstand the weather. Galvanised steel panels are protected against corrosion, but that doesn’t mean they are invulnerable.
Wet leaves left at the bottom of the door, dirt accumulating in corners and even animal urine can gradually damage the protective coating and encourage rust to develop.
Standing moisture is one of the enemies of a well-maintained garage door.
It’s much better to prevent moisture and dirt from building up than to deal with the damage several years down the line!
How can you clean your garage door effectively?
The good news is that a simple cleaning routine is often enough to remove much of the dirt.
Rinse both the inside and outside of your door with clean water.
Use a soft sponge to avoid scratching the finish.
For more stubborn dirt, particularly algae or moss stains, use lukewarm water with a non-abrasive, neutral detergent with a pH close to 7.
Rinse thoroughly and allow the door to air-dry.
Remember to clean the guide areas behind the side seals too. They should be kept clean and free from debris.
Avoid harsh products, abrasive sponges and cleaning methods that could damage your door’s finish.
So, if the sun is still shining this afternoon, make the most of it!
A few minutes spent looking after your door today could save you a lot of hassle tomorrow.
2. Protect your door and its seals after cleaning
Is your door clean? Great! You can now turn your attention to protecting it.
For doors with a suitable finish, applying an appropriate car wax can help protect the surface and allow water to run off more easily.
Always check that the product is compatible with your door’s finish and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Don’t forget the rubber seals either. They help keep your door properly sealed and should be checked regularly. A maintenance product suitable for rubber can help preserve their flexibility.
Please note: not every product is suitable for every surface. If in doubt, refer to the Hörmann maintenance recommendations for your particular model.
The Hörmann maintenance kit: a practical solution
Hörmann offers a cleaning and maintenance kit containing, among other things, a cleaning product, a 2-in-1 polish, sponges, microfibre cloths and lubricating oil.
The kit provides several useful products and accessories for looking after your garage door. If you would like to know more about its contents, price or how to order it, feel free to contact Ateliers Matterne.
The box contains:
1 shampoo for windows and doors – 500 ml
1 cleaning, restoration and protection product – 400 ml
1 High-Tech PTFE lubricant – 400 ml
1 washing mitt
1 super-absorbent microfibre cloth
Of course, buying this kit isn’t essential for basic maintenance. Regular cleaning with clean water and using products suited to the different components are already excellent habits — and certainly much better than doing nothing!
3. The right way to maintain your door’s mechanisms
A garage door is more than just its panels. It also includes hinges, rollers, springs, locking mechanisms and, depending on the model, an automatic operating system.
All these components work together to ensure that your door operates properly. Here are a few important points to remember.
Guide rails: keep them clean, but never grease them!
This is an essential point: guide rails should be cleaned regularly, but must never be greased. A layer of grease can trap dust and dirt and interfere with the smooth movement of the rollers.
Hinge and roller-holder axles: use the right lubricant
The axles of the hinges and roller holders can be lubricated with an oil suitable for garage door hardware and mechanisms. Apply a small amount to the appropriate points and wipe away any excess.
Don’t just use any lubricant. A product suitable for metal mechanisms is not necessarily appropriate for every component. Always check the relevant instructions before use.
Springs: essential for keeping your door balanced
The springs help balance the door and make it easier to open and close.
However, please be careful: springs are under high tension and can pose a serious safety risk. Never attempt to dismantle, adjust or work directly on them unless you are qualified to do so.
Locking mechanisms and automatic operation
Regularly check that the locking system works properly. If lubrication is required, use a product suitable for the mechanism concerned.
If your door is automated, also watch out for changes in its operation, such as slower movement, unusual noises, unexpected stops or the motor repeatedly entering safety mode.
These symptoms can have several causes and should not automatically be attributed to a lack of lubrication.
Concerned about something or noticed a problem? Give us a call!
4. What about the springs? When should they be maintained?
There is no single maintenance schedule that applies to every garage door. Daily use, the type of door, its age and the manufacturer’s recommendations all play a role.
A door that is opened and closed several times a day naturally puts more strain on its mechanisms than one that is only used occasionally.
That’s why we recommend keeping an eye on how your door operates. If it becomes difficult to open, appears unbalanced or starts making unusual squeaking or creaking noises, it should be checked.
If the springs provide less assistance, the door may become harder to operate and its balance may be affected. On an automated door, unusual resistance can also cause the motor to stop or enter safety mode.
If your door becomes difficult to operate, appears unbalanced or the motor repeatedly enters safety mode, contact a professional.
A simple adjustment may not be enough. An inspection will help identify the cause of the problem.
Never try to correct an imbalance yourself by working on the springs. The risk is real! For your safety, contact our team for any work involving your springs.
5. Is professional maintenance necessary every year?
Periodic inspections are a good habit, but maintenance needs vary depending on the door and how frequently it is used. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and any requirements applicable to your installation.
At Ateliers Matterne, we don’t want to impose an expensive, inconvenient or unnecessary annual maintenance contract if your situation doesn’t call for one.
However, if your door is used intensively, if it hasn’t been serviced for several years or if you notice a change in its operation, we recommend getting in touch. We can advise you on whether an inspection is necessary and which work may be appropriate.
Our goal is simple: to help you keep your garage door reliable, safe and easy to use, without offering services you don’t need.
Your garage door is ready for winter!
Regular cleaning, a few appropriate maintenance steps and paying attention to signs of wear can help keep your garage door in good condition for many years.
So, make the most of those lovely autumn days to give your garage door a little attention. And if you notice unusual noises, difficulty operating the door or a motor that enters safety mode, don’t wait too long before asking for advice.
Have a question about maintaining your Hörmann garage door?
The Ateliers Matterne team is here to advise you and help you look after your installation.
Contact us for advice or to arrange an inspection if your door shows signs of malfunction.
Look after your garage door: it protects you all year round!
