As we enter the new year, Pennsylvania homeowners have a great chance to tackle maintenance tasks that can save money on repairs, improve energy efficiency, and boost home security. At Lancaster Door Service, we have seen how a good maintenance routine can prolong the life of your doors, windows, and garage door systems. Concentrating on three key areas will give you the best return on your time: your garage door system, entry doors, and windows.
The Importance of Garage Door Maintenance
Your garage door is the largest moving part of your home, going through hundreds of operations every month. Despite this heavy use, it’s often one of the most overlooked systems in the house. The start of a new year is an excellent time to give your garage door the attention it needs.
First, every homeowner should test the safety features. Modern garage doors come with an auto-reverse mechanism that should stop and reverse the door if it hits an obstacle. Place a solid object, like a 2×4 board, in the door’s path and start the closing cycle. The door should reverse upon contact. If it doesn’t, this poses a serious safety risk that needs immediate professional help.
Next, check the mechanical balance of your door. Disconnect the opener by pulling the manual release handle, manually lift the door halfway, and let it go. A properly balanced door will stay in place or move very slowly. If it falls quickly or shoots upward, the spring tension needs adjustment, which is a job best handled by professionals at Lancaster Door Service because garage door springs are under extreme tension.
Inspect the tracks and rollers for wear, and apply a silicone-based or lithium-based lubricant to hinges, rollers, springs, and tracks every few months. Keeping these parts well-lubricated reduces friction and prevents early wear. Don’t forget about the weatherstripping at the bottom and sides of your garage door. A damaged seal lets drafts, moisture, and pests into your garage. Replacing worn weatherstripping is one of the most cost-effective upgrades to improve energy efficiency.
Entry Door Care and Inspection
Your entry doors act as the main barrier between your home and the outside elements. They are crucial for your home’s security, curb appeal, and energy efficiency.
Start by examining the door frame, especially at the threshold and bottom corners where moisture builds up. Wood rot is common in these areas, especially in Lancaster County’s humid summers and freeze-thaw cycles in winter. Use a screwdriver to gently probe any questionable spots—if the wood feels soft or spongy, you likely have rot that needs addressing. Catching frame rot early can mean the difference between an easy repair and a full door replacement.
Check all locks, deadbolts, and latches to make sure they work smoothly. Sticky locks often signal alignment problems or worn parts that will only get worse over time. Inspect hinges for loose screws or signs of sagging, and tighten them into solid wood, not just the trim.
Run your hand along the door’s edges while it’s closed to feel for any air leaks. Even small gaps can cause significant heat loss in winter or cooling loss in summer. Quality weatherstripping should fit snugly when the door closes. At Lancaster Door Service, we can evaluate your weatherstripping and suggest fixes that will pay off through lowered energy bills.
Window System Evaluation
Windows are a big part of your home’s thermal envelope, and their condition directly affects your comfort and utility costs. A thorough annual inspection can uncover problems before they lead to costly damage.
Test all your windows. Each should open and close easily without sticking. Clean all tracks well and use silicone spray on moving parts to restore smooth operation. Check the glass for cracks or chips, and look for signs of seal failure. If you have dual-pane windows with condensation or fog between the panes, the seal has failed, and you need to replace the insulated glass unit.
Look at the exterior caulking around your window frames. Cracks or gaps can let water seep behind the frame, which could lead to rot and interior damage. Removing old caulk and applying fresh exterior caulk can save you thousands in water damage repairs. Make sure that weep holes along the bottom exterior are open, as these let condensation escape and prevent water buildup inside the frame.
Lastly, check both interior and exterior window frames for signs of wood rot, paint damage, or water stains. Early detection allows for targeted repairs before the damage spreads. If you’re unsure about your windows’ condition, the team at Lancaster Door Service can give you an honest evaluation.
Making Maintenance a Habit
The key to good preventative maintenance is consistency. Each month, visually inspect your garage door operations and test safety features. Every three months, lubricate moving parts and check weatherstripping. Then, once a year, at the start of the new year, go through this detailed inspection.
Some situations require expert help rather than do-it-yourself fixes. Replacing garage door springs, managing significant frame damage, or handling ongoing operational issues are all solid reasons to call in the pros. At Lancaster Door Service, we proudly serve homeowners throughout Lancaster County with quality products and skilled service. Start this new year right by giving your doors, windows, and garage door systems the care they need. Contact Lancaster Door Service today to schedule a complete maintenance inspection or discuss how we can help protect and improve your home.