The warm and sunny season of Summer has come again! Meaning it’s time to get outside and take care of those exterior maintenance projects. One project not to be missed from that list is taking care of your home’s garage door. Routine maintenance is not only essential for ensuring the door continues to function properly and safely. It is also paramount for enhancing the door’s curb appeal, and can even contribute to a more comfortable environment inside the garage. Here are our top Summer Garage Maintenance Tips!

Inspect Your Garage Door’s Hardware

Before cleaning or any other type of maintenance activities, you should first inspect your garage door and all of its hardware for any signs of excessive wear and tear. Take a good look around the tracks, springs and mounting hardware. Remember – the more you do this, the more likely you are to notice when something doesn’t look right. If anything appears broken, contact a professional so that it can be repaired safely.

Clean and Lubricate Your Garage Door

Dirt and debris can easily accumulate on your garage door over the Winter. Use a mild mixture of detergent and water to remove any build-up on both sides of the door. This is also an excellent time to lubricate your garage door’s springs, rollers, and hinges to keep your door running smoothly and quietly. If your garage door is made of metal, this is also the time to remove rust.

Pro Tip: To really keep your garage door looking its best, Summer is also an excellent time to apply a fresh coat of paint! This will do more than improve the door’s appearance, it can also protect it from the winter elements to come! White or another light color are the best options, as these will reflect rather than absorb the summertime heat.

How To Keep Your Garage Cool During Summertime

Now that you’ve taken care of the essentials, it’s time to look at other maintenance tasks that can be accomplished for a cozier summer. You may wish to install a ceiling fan or install a mini-split A/C unit. If you didn’t already, you could even declutter your garage as a way to improve airflow.

In the midst of your summer fun, don’t forget to give your garage a little TLC. And if you require additional help with your summer garage door maintenance, turn to Adam’s Door Systems. Whether you’re looking for a whole new garage door or in need of a repair, we have your back. Contact us at info@adamsdoorsystems.com or 905-602-6550 (Mississauga) or 416-502-2212 (Toronto).

Despite garages being one of the most used spaces in homes, they are also commonly the most cluttered. A detailed spring cleaning can help to declutter what has become a dumping ground for junk that limits your ability to both park, store, and work inside your garage. We’ve put together a Garage Spring Cleaning Checklist to help you cultivate a tidier, more functional garage.

Have A Plan

Have a game plan of what you want to accomplish with this garage spring cleaning project. A checklist can help with this. Assign tasks to family members, take your time, maintain a sense of purpose, and eye towards finishing your goal. You can listen to your favorite music, podcast, or sports game to add a little more excitement to the experience.

Declutter your garage

Remove everything from the garage that’s not permanently placed there. You can sort everything into three piles: keep, donate, discard. A good question to ask yourself as you go through items is whether you have used it in the past year. If it no longer sparks joy and is simply gathering dust – toss or donate it! For discarded items, be sure to check product labels for pesticides, motor oil, solvents and other chemicals to determine best disposal methods.

Wipe down and sweep out the garage

Wipe down any shelving or flat surfaces (aside from the floor). Garage slatwall panels are very easy to clean with just a rag, but perhaps the material on your garage wall is drywall or brick. If so, just giving the walls a downward sweep with a broom will remove some of the dirt and dust that’s accumulated. Use the broom to remove any cobwebs you see as well.

Hose out your garage

Now it’s time to wash your garage floor with your garden hose and a gentle cleaner! After you’ve given everything a good scrub, you can use a clean broom to sweep the excess water out of the garage interior. Wait for all the surfaces to completely dry before putting your newly sorted items back inside.  

Clean and inspect your garage doors and opener

Next, it’s time to clean your garage door. Rinse it off with a hose and then wipe it down using a sponge, dish detergent, and water. For any window panels or inserts on the garage door, see the next garage spring cleaning tip. Be sure to attend to both sides of your garage door. If you happen to notice any damage or extreme rust to the mechanisms of your garage door opener, it’s a good idea to have the entire system inspected by a professional. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-888-602-6550.

The Holidays are here! And nothing is more exciting at this time of year than decorating your home. And as one of the most prominent features of your home’s facade, there’s no reason your garage door can’t spread some of the Holiday Cheer too! Here are some creative tips for decorating your garage door this Christmas.

Wrap Your Garage as a Present

For those of us who do not open and close our garage door on a daily basis, this is an excellent idea! Wrap your garage door with two giant waterproof outdoor ribbons, one positioned horizontally and one positioned vertically. Cross them in the middle, and place a bow in the center. Your garage door will take on the appearance of a giant gift, wrapped up for the season. If you do need to open your garage door, remove the bow beforehand to prevent it from getting stuck in the system.

Hang a Giant Wreath

Buy or create a massive wreath using a circle of wire and artificial green garland. Spend some time adding decorative ornaments like red bulbs, faux pinecones, or whatever expresses your seasonal style. You can hang the wreath in the center of the garage door with wire. But bear in mind, this is also not the best decoration if you will need to open and shut the garage door.

Garage Door Illusion

Garage door murals are available online and can usually be found in home improvement stores. These murals are designed to be hung on the outside of the door and create the illusion that something impossible is happening inside the garage. At the holidays, murals are available that can make your garage look like Santa’s workshop or a winter wonderland. These decorations are easy to install, weatherproof, and most companies advertise that you can continue to use the garage door even when one is attached.

Twinkling Holiday Lights

Tried and true! Twinkling string lights around the opening of your garage door are an excellent decoration for the Holidays.. To add a little something extra to the lights, attach garland or exterior grade ribbon to the garage door opening as well. Not only does this string your garage door’s aesthetic with the rest of your home, but it also doesn’t interfere with the operation of your garage door.

Now your garage door is all dressed up for the Holiday season! As we head into the new year, you may be considering some upgrades for your garage door. Contact us today to find out more about your garage door options at info@adamsdoorsystems.com.

Winter is fast approaching. And with cooler temperatures already in full swing, ensuring your garage door has a tight seal is more important than ever! A weatherproof garage door keeps the cold out, and utility bills low. There are several options when it comes to effectively preventing warm air from escaping, and utility bills from skyrocketing. Let’s explore how to weatherproof a garage door together.

Inspect Your Current Garage Insulation.

Insulation plays a huge role in containing the warm air that your HVAC system generates. Ensuring both your garage door and garage walls are insulated will keep your garage warmer in the Winter. You should also inspect your garage for areas near windows or doorways that may be susceptible to cracks. Small openings will allow cool air in and warm air to get out. Luckily, these holes are often easy enough to caulk shut yourself.

Replace Worn Weatherstripping.

Over time the seal around your garage door begins to wear. Especially after an intense Winter or consistent opening and closing. Often these seals will become brittle, crack, or break. Accidental freezing can also cause the seal to rip or tear. If your weatherstripping is looking a little tired, it’s best to replace the seals before the Winter comes. If you would like to learn more about how to install weatherstripping yourself, check out our blog here.

Consider Replacing Your Garage Door

If your garage door has been around for some time, it may be time to consider replacing it. Today’s garage doors are both lightweight and energy efficient. Look for a garage door with a high R-Value, insinuating excellent thermal insulation. Consult one of our technicians to see what’s available in your area.

It’s never too late to make necessary repairs, or to invest in proper winterizing solutions to help keep the warmth inside where it belongs. If any of these garage weatherproofing tips seem too hard to fix on your own, let us do the hard work for you! Contact us for your garage door needs today at info@adamsdoorsystems.com.