When I bought my first home, I knew I was going to have to start maintaining different parts of the home to keep everything functioning properly. However, what I did not realize was that the garage door was one of these things. I decided to create this website because I had no idea how much maintenance a garage door needed and what types of maintenance. If you aren't cleaning your garage door tracks, checking for loose screws or oiling the tracks on a bi-monthly basis, I hope my website teaches you how to do this maintenance and the importance of performing it.
Over time, wooden garage doors will often develop small cracks as a result of exposure to moisture or fluctuating temperatures. While these cracks may not be large in size, they can have a large impact on the way your garage door looks. The good news is, repairing this damage can be much easier than you think. In fact, by simply following the step by step instructions below, you will be able to repair this damage yourself in just three easy steps.
What You Will Need
Step 1: Clean Away Debris
The first thing you will need to do is ensure that the damage you will be repairing is free of dirt, splintered wood, and other debris. In order to do this, begin by using a rotary tool to reach deep into each crack and sand away any pieces of damaged wood that remain. Next, you will need to use a sanding block covered with a piece of fine grit sandpaper to remove any paint chips, dirt, or other debris from around the damaged area. Finally, use a clean, dry paintbrush to wipe away any sawdust and other small particles that remain in or around the crack.
Step 2: Fill Cracks And Smooth Surface
Once you have a clean surface to work with, you will be ready to begin filling each crack with high quality wood putty. Be sure to choose an appropriately sized putty knife for the job so that you can reach the putty all the way into the crack.
After filling each crack, allow several hours to pass so that the putty can dry completely before moving forward. Once the putty is dry, use your sanding block to smooth out the surface of the repair.
Step 3: Protect Against Future Damage
At this point, you will be ready to protect your garage door against future damage by simply applying a fresh coat of wood stain or paint. The stain or paint will prevent moisture from soaking into the surface of your garage door.
When applying a fresh coat of stain or paint, be sure that you have chosen a color that matches your existing finish perfectly. If you are unable to find a perfect match, you will need to paint the entire door rather than simply painting the damaged areas.
A Final Thought
While minor damage to your garage door can be repaired on a do-it-yourself basis, it is important to note that this repair process is not intended to be used on severe damage. If the cracks in your garage door are more than a few inches in length or depth, the structural integrity of your door may have been compromised. In order to ensure your door remains safe for use and that it is repaired properly, it is always best to enlist the services of a professional repair contractor like Central Florida Garage Doors when dealing with this type of severe damage.
Share2 March 2015
