Learning how to lubricate a garage door is an essential part of homeownership. With time, a damp rag, and a lithium-based grease spray, your garage door will work like new. Follow this step-by-step guide to performing garage door lubrication like a pro!
Lubricate your garage door about every six months or as needed. Loud creaking or groans is a sign that your door needs lubrication. The sounds come from metal-on-metal friction, which adds to the door’s wear and tear. This friction will shorten the door’s lifespan and create more severe issues if left unattended. Regular garage door maintenance keeps the system operating smoothly, lessening the motor’s and other parts’ strain.
Before doing anything, shut off the power to the door. Turning off the electricity provides a safe working environment and allows you to complete tasks more comfortably.
Once the power is off, thoroughly inspect every part of the garage door. You are searching for damaged, rusted, and worn-out pieces that need to be fixed or replaced by a professional.
While you are inspecting, do other garage door maintenance tasks as necessary. Consider the following maintenance:
• Check that the nuts and bolts are tightened and fix them accordingly.
• Tighten the chain.
• Inspect the rollers and hinges for broken pieces or looseness.
Once everything seems in working order and you have noted any necessary replacements or repairs, move on to the next steps.
Look over the garage door and wipe off large chunks of dirt or debris. This process doesn’t need to be overly thorough but ensures you can reach all the parts that need lubrication. Home in on the tracks that the garage door moves on.
Vacuum any traces of dirt and dust you see. Once vacuumed, wipe down the length of the tracks with a damp towel to clean them thoroughly. This step is vital because dirty garage door tracks inhibit the rollers from moving fluidly, causing breakdowns and loud noises.
If you need additional help, use an automotive brake cleaner to break down tough-to-clean spots. Do not lubricate the tracks. Lubrication will attract dust and dirt, causing more issues.
If you see a need to grease the track, another issue could be at fault. Call a professional to replace or fix the way. Well-maintained paths will work fine without lubrication, so leave them clean and move on.
You are learning which garage door lubricant to use when figuring out how to lubricate a garage door. However, do not use WD-40 for your garage door. WD-40 will attract dust and dirt to your freshly oiled garage door, causing further problems.
The preferred door parts greaser is white lithium grease, but a silicone spray works, too. Once you’ve selected your oil, apply it with a rag or a spray bottle for the best results.
Either by yourself or with a partner, carefully lift the door. As the hinges bend to move the garage door along its track, spray or wipe them down with the grease.
Be careful with this step, as you’re dealing with moving parts. Everywhere you see metal touching metal, apply lubricant.
The rollers are connected along the track, next to the hinges. Plastic rollers won’t need to be lubricated. Metal rollers contain many little parts, such as bearings, which require a thin straw to apply the lubricant.
Most garage doors have springs at the top, so you’ll need a ladder for this step. The torsion garage door springs are above your door. Thoroughly spray or wipe down the springs.
On either side of the springs are the bearing plates. Wipe down these circular plates with your wipe or spray them to keep your garage door in peak condition.
After thoroughly lubricating the parts, you should open and close the door a few times. This movement allows the grease to work further into the spring coils and coat the features you may have missed.
Check the sound as well when you test the door. Ideally, the door is now noticeably quieter.
The top rail is the bar across the top of the ceiling where the chain attaches. It would be best to lubricate the top of the bar because the chain travels back and forth along this part.
The arm bar connects the door to the top rail and should also be sprayed or wiped down for a smooth operation.
The last thing to lubricate is the lock. Opening and closing the door is more accessible when greased, ensuring safety and comfort. Once you’ve finished, please take a moment to check for any drips or spills and clean them up.
Once everything has been thoroughly cleaned and greased, turn the power back on. Then, using the remote control, open and close the door a few times to lube all the moving garage door parts further. Listen carefully to the sound to ensure you’ve done a proper job.
If the door is excessively noisy, it’s time to call a professional to check for any damages or aging parts.
Every homeowner should learn how to lubricate a garage door. Regular maintenance lengthens the door and motor’s lifespan. Completing this task twice yearly ensures your equipment works in peak condition and can limit unnecessary repairs.
Even with consistent cleaning and greasing, you may need to call a professional to replace or fix certain parts. If you notice any loose, missing, or broken parts, contact Advantage Garage Doors for assistance. Our expert team can help you with garage door issues in Calgary, AB, and the surrounding areas.
Our highly trained professionals are ready to show you how to lubricate a garage door or if you need garage door openers installed. We provide everything from yearly garage door checks to a complete installation or a door repair.
If you need garage door assistance, contact us at (587) 418-3911 or submit a form on the Contact Us page to request a free quote.
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