Importance of Garage Door and Foundation Repair in Home Maintenance
Do you know what every homeowner’s dream is? Having a cozy and well-maintained home.
Home maintenance requires you to schedule regular repairs as they can act as a catalyst in saving your home, your sanctuary, from long-term damage. We often experience unpredicted headaches like a leaking foundation or an improperly functioning garage door when it comes to our home’s maintenance.
Stay tuned with us to understand the importance of timely repairs like garage door repair and foundation repairs in coping with these problems. In this article, we will shed light on:
- The connection with garage door and foundation repairs
- DIY garage door and foundation maintenance
- Role of moving services in garage door and foundation repair
What is the connection between Garage Door Repair and Foundation Repair?
Timely maintenance of our home requires you to understand the intricate connection between your foundation and your garage door. Although both seem quite irrelevant to each other, a sound foundation and a properly functioning garage door collectively:
- Upkeep the stability and integrity of your home
- Create a secure environment for you to live in
- Safeguard you and your home from harsh environments and break-ins
A sound foundation sustains the entire house in the long run. On the other hand, a wrecked garage door presents the danger of robberies. Unaddressed garage door problems jeopardize the safety of your property. Timely fixes and home maintenance of your garage door and foundation can safeguard your home’s security and integrity.
DIY Foundation Maintenance Tips
It is important to understand how you can maintain the foundation of your home. Have a look at these maintenance tips provided by foundation repair experts.
1. Thorough Examination:
Thoroughly inspect your foundation at least twice a year by walking around the entire house and looking for the following:
- Cracks appearing walls
- Sloping floors
- Misaligned doors and windows
2. Adequate Drainage System:
Install an adequate drainage system. Gutters and drainpipes should dump water at least 5 – 10 feet away from your home’s foundation.
3. Keep the Roots Away:
Remember, tree roots can grow approximately five times the length of their canopy’s radius. These roots can damage your foundation. So, do not plant vegetation near your foundation. If you do so, make sure to install a root barrier at least 35 inches down around the foundation to avoid future home maintenance.
4. Avoid Plumbing Leaks:
Assess your plumbing systems annually. Check for:
- Potential leaks
- Water pressure
- Water flow
Detecting a plumbing leak can save your property from significant damage.
5. Level the Inclination:
Grade your foundation by directing your home’s slope away from it. Add around 6 inches of fill dirt to the lower side of the house every 10 feet to achieve this. It will also prevent water accumulation around your home.
6. Maintain Vegetation:
While planting a tree, be careful about the tree’s size, type, and the place where you plant it. Do not plant anything so close to your foundation that its roots start penetrating the foundation in a few years.
7. Keep a Track of the Repairs:
Create a foundation log and track everything. Add pictures and videos of the damage and save receipts from contractors to keep a record of the repairs. It will help you maintain your foundation for as long as you own your home.
8. Seek Professional Help:
Hire professionals to thoroughly inspect your foundation and repair any problem or home maintenance that requires instant attention.
DIY Garage Door Maintenance Tips
Just like a foundation, you also need to upkeep your garage door to sustain a secure home. We will provide some tips on how you can maintain your garage door yourself.
1. Examine:
Open and close the door automatically and then manually. Observe if it is working smoothly or:
- Making any sounds
- Being jerky
- Heavier than usual
2. Inspect the Tracks:
The tracks of your door can damage or bend over time, causing it to malfunction. Regularly inspect the tracks as they should be:
- Properly aligned
- Clear from dirt and debris
3. Lubricate:
Grease the moving parts of your garage door, like rollers and hinges, regularly to keep them from:
- Making noise
- Getting damaged
Purchase a good lubricant or WD-40 from any retailer for this purpose.
4. Secure the Hardware:
You open your garage door several times a day, due to which its nuts and bolts can loosen over time. Ensure the hardware of your door is tightly secured and rust-free. Tighten the nuts and bolts utilizing a wrench or a screwdriver. Avoid over-tightening. Carefully examine the springs and pulleys of the door as well.
5. Repair Damaged Cables:
Inspect the cables for damage. Damaged cables can also lead to an improperly functioning garage door. However, cables have tension, and any damage to them can put a strain on the door. Therefore, we recommend you hire professional garage door repair services to fix the cables and avoid DIY repairs.
The Importance of Garage Door Repair and Foundation Repair in the Moving Process
If you are planning to relocate, we recommend you get your new house thoroughly examined before hiring moving services to shift your luggage. Potential issues with your new home’s foundation and garage door can delay or slow down the shifting process.
If the garage door is malfunctioning or taking time to open and close, moving vehicles will have to wait outside for longer durations. It will not only be troublesome for the movers but also delay the move.
Similarly, if the foundation of your new home is leaky, you will have to delay the contract with the moving services and hire foundation repair experts instead, to fix the foundation damage first. It will also delay your moving process. Therefore, for a smooth and efficient move, it is essential to get your home’s foundation and garage door repaired beforehand.
Home Maintenance
Repairing your home’s foundation and garage door is crucial for its maintenance. Although the garage door and foundation of your home seem unrelated, both play an important role in providing you with a secure environment to live in.
Conduct regular inspections and follow some simple DIY tips to upkeep both. If you are planning to relocate, get the foundation and garage door of your new home examined and serviced in advance.