Fall time not only brings us the Halloween season, pumpkin-spice flavored foods, and scary movies, it brings us cooler temperatures. The colder temperatures, rain, and strong winds can be tough on a garage door. That is why you need to do some necessary fall preparation tasks. They include:

• Check for & Seal Air Gaps: Look around your garage for places where light and air are getting in. If you find a place that is letting in light, close it. These gaps can allow in the elements and pests that can damage the door and the things inside the garage.

• Organize Your Garage: If you have items that are used for different seasons in your garage, move the fall and winter items that you have to an easily accessible area and move the spring and summer items to the back of your garage. We recommend using shelving where applicable to help maximize space and to help keep things organized.

• Inspect Your Roller Tracks: Roller tracks can get jammed up with debris such as leaves, sticks, dirt, and insect webs. If your tracks have debris in them, clear them out to help with the smooth operation of the door. Check to make sure that there are no bends in the track that would interfere with the door opening and closing. Adjust the track as needed.

• Inspect Your Door’s Roller Wheels & Springs: The first thing you need to do is disconnect your garage door opener from its power source. Then inspect the roller wheels and springs for damage. Clean dirty parts and replace worn-out components. Do not forget to lubricate parts where metal-on-metal contact occurs.

• Schedule a Professional Inspection: Finally, you should have a professional garage door company inspect your door for final approval. They are specialists in garage doors and may find things that you overlooked and fix them for you. This can save you from getting hurt and save you money on more expensive repairs.