Not only will a garage door that’s properly shut help protect your home from anything beyond your driveway, but a well sealed garage is also more energy efficient. By design, garage doors are easy to adjust, so you can try adjusting the garage door height yourself in 15 mins or so to save on electric bills. Your garage door opener has limits - which are responsible for the closing and opening heights. What you want to do now is to make sure the limits match the door height, so that it seals off completely when you shut it. Here's a step by step guide on how to adjust garage door height, provided by the garage door experts at Cedar Park Overhead Doors.
How to Adjust Garage Door Height - Tips from the Pros
Step 1
Get a ladder and place it just beneath the door opener. You'll want the ladder to be as stable as possible to prevent accidents.
Step 2
Find the limit adjustment screws placed on either side of the opener. These screws are usually plastic and are clearly labelled with either "down," "up," "close," and "open."
Step 3
To increase the door opening height, simply turn the "open" or "up" screw in a clockwise direction. Don't over do it though, a quarter of a turn should do at first.
Step 4
Get off the ladder and do a test to determine if the height has been sufficiently adjusted to your desired level. If you still notice gaps, then get back on your ladder and repeat Step 3 until the door height has been properly adjusted.
Step 5
If the door doesn’t close well, or the height is in excess, simply turn the "close" or "down" screw instead. Get off the ladder and reexamine until you're sure the door seals off properly.
Maintaining Your Garage Door
Your garage door is likely the most heavy duty door in your home. This is because it gets a lot of use, therefore, you want to constantly check on it to make sure everything is in order.
Once in a while, you can inspect the various parts of the door for anything that may be out of place. Check for springs, pulleys or cables that may seem frayed and rollers that look slightly damaged. Tighten loose bolts, sand and repaint chipped wooden surfaces, but don’t touch any cable that's clearly marked red or "Do Not Touch." These parts usually have interconnected wirings that only a professional can look at.
Check the tracks and other mechanical parts of the door to ensure they're well greased (some people don't like applying grease because it usually attracts dirt, so apply very little if you must). Inspect the weather-stripping at the bottom of the door. Raise and lower the door to see how it holds out. If it's brittle, or you notice gaps in it, replace it - that's another way to prevent heat loss. Clear all forms of dirt and debris that would have accumulated with time. If you have a garage door that is made from non-conventional materials such as aluminum, glass, or even real wood, then make sure that your door is maintained properly to ensure the best results.
Note that most of the tips shown here can be done yourself. Plus regular maintenance can reduce the frequency with which you call a professional.
Next Steps
Having a garage door can not only protect your home from external forces, but it can also aid in reducing electric costs. Knowing how to adjust your garage’s door height plays a major role in this. This article went over how to adjust garage door height by yourself with just a few simple steps. You simply have to turn your garage’s limit adjustment screws accordingly until you get your desired height. Good luck!
Comments(2)