If you are like a lot of homeowners, you may not give much thought to your garage door. However, this door is one of the largest moving parts of your house and used several times a day, so you must take proper care of it. If you neglect your garage door, it can break down and cost a lot of money in repairs. Here are seven effective ways to maintain your garage door:

Lubricate Your Garage Door

Because your garage door gets used so much on a daily basis, its components can wear down over time. To help the garage door open and close more smoothly, remember to lubricate it at least once a year. Howcast recommends applying two drops of penetrating oil to the hinges and rollers and six drops of the same oil onto the tracks. To make sure the oil is distributed evenly, open and close the garage door several times.

Test the Door's Balance

If your garage door's balance is off, the opener will have to use more force to open and close it. That is why it is a good idea to periodically check the door's balance. To do this, manually open up the door about halfway. Does it stay open by itself? If it does not, there is something wrong with the balance. Contact a professional, like  a AAA Allstate Door Company, to repair the issue as soon as possible.

Get Regular Tune-ups

Whether your garage door is brand new or several years old, it is wise to get regular tune-ups. An experienced garage door repairman will thoroughly inspect your garage door and make sure all of its components are working properly. For example, he or she will likely tighten the bolts and nuts and stabilize the garage door track. Spending a little extra money for tune-ups will help you prolong the life of your garage door.

Clean the Track

The garage door track can accumulate a lot of dust and dirt over time, decreasing the efficiency of the door. It is important to clean the track on a regular basis to keep your garage door working properly. All you have to do is wipe the inside part of the track with a wet cloth.

Install Weather Seals

Applying weather seals to your garage door will not just reduce your energy bills; it will also keep moisture from getting into the garage. Just install these weather seals to the bottom portion of the door. Remember to check the weather seals for wear and tear periodically. If you find cracks in the weatherstripping, you should replace it right away.

Inspect the Rollers

The rollers are one of the most important components of a garage door, so they should be inspected for damage a couple times a year. If you notice wear and tear on these rollers, you should replace them as soon as possible. The good news is that replacement is pretty simple. All you have to do is take out the brackets, remove rollers out and put new ones in.

Pay Attention to Funny Sounds

Although a garage door can't be completely silent, it should not be making loud banging or grinding sounds. If you notice that your garage door is noisier than usual, there is likely something wrong with one of its components. It is a good idea to have a professional look at your garage door at your earliest convenience.

Maintaining a garage door will take some extra time, but it is definitely worth the effort. If you follow these helpful tips, you can keep your garage door in excellent shape and avoid costly repairs in the future.