Lubricating your garage door is one of the simplest, yet one of the most effective ways to extend the lifespan of your door. Garage doors are often opened and closed multiple times per day and so they of course will require maintenance from time to time. Making lubrication a part of your regular garage door maintenance will help reduce noise, as well as preventing wear and tear. Lets talk about how to do it the right way and what types of products to use.

Why Lubrication is Important

With regular usage of your garage door, its parts like springs, hinges and rollers can begin to become stiff. When this happens, parts can start to grind against each other which can create excessive noise, increased friction, and premature failure. You can help to prevent this by lubricating parts regularly and keep everything running smoothly.

How Often Should Lubrication be Applied?

Lubricating your garage door every 6 months is recommended. However, if you live in an area that gets extreme weather conditions, it can be a good idea to do it more frequently. You should also pay attention to signs from your door that can signal that it is time for some maintenance. Grinding, squeaking, or sluggish movement can indicate that your door needs some care.

Step-by-Step to Lubricating Your Garage Door

Gather Your Supplies

First thing is to get all the supplies and tools you will need:

• Garage Door Lubricant: Get a lubricant that is silicone or lithium based. Don’t use WD-40, it isn’t a lubricant, it is primarily a degreaser and will not provide long-lasting lubrication. Also, it could damage certain parts and take off the finish. 

• A clean cloth or rag

• Step Ladder

Close the Door and Disconnect Power

Ensure the garage door is fully closed and unplug your opener. This will prevent accidents by stopping any accidental movement while you are working on the door.

Clean the Tracks

Use a dry cloth to clean the tracks of any dust, dirt, or debris. Do not apply any lubricant to the tracks as this can actually create problems. It can lead to the door slipping off, moving unevenly, and the lubricant can attract more dust and dirt build-up. 

Lubricate Rollers

If your rollers have unsealed bearings, you’ll know because you will be able to see the ball bearings, apply the lubricant directly on the bearings. If you have nylon rollers with sealed bearings, lubricate the metal shaft and the space between the roller and the shaft. You should avoid getting lubricant on the nylon. 

Lubricate Springs and Bearing Plates

The garage door will have either torsion springs which are located above the door or extension springs which are on the sides of the door. Apply a moderate amount of lubricant to the springs and the bearing plates at the ends. 

Lubricate Top Rail and Arm Bar

For smoother movement and less strain on the opener, lubricate the top rail, which is where the opener’s chain or belt travels. Also apply some lubricant to the arm bar which connects the door to the opener.

Lubricate Hinges

Apply a small amount of lubricant to the door’s hinges to reduce squeaking and allow for the panels to move more smoothly.

Plug In the Opener and Open and Close the Door

Open and close the door a few times so that the lubricant can work itself into all the moving parts it has been applied to. 

More Tips

– A little bit can go a long way. Don’t overdo the lubricant. Too much can defeat the purpose as it will end up just attracting more dirt.

– Inspect the hardware. Check for any noticeable damage and tighten up any loose nuts, bolts and screws.

– Check the door balance. While you do maintenance, and the garage door opener is disconnected, manually lift the door and leave it half way open. It should stay in place and if it doesn’t, the door may be out of balance and need some servicing by a professional technician.

Lubricating your garage door is an easy to do, minor task that can make a world of difference to your door. With just about 15 minutes of work, you can keep your door running smoothly, more quietly and help prevent wear and tear. Simple maintenance like lubricating your garage door can lessen the risks of problems, breakdowns and save you money!