Though your garage door looks straightforward, it has multiple moving parts that must all work in concert to ensure convenience and ease of use. Like any other complex appliance in your home, it needs periodic maintenance to operate smoothly and avoid premature wear and tear.
For example, issues like loose hardware and worn rollers can adversely affect your door’s performance. You should look for visible signs of wear, damage or misalignment. Tightening bolts, screws or nuts will keep the door in proper alignment and prevent unnecessary strain.
Use the proactive advice in this guide to ensure your garage door’s longevity, efficiency and safe operation.
Step-by-Step Garage Door Lubrication Guide
Knowing when to lubricate garage doors and their parts minimizes damage, rust and friction, preserving their life span. After completing a visual inspection and performing the simple maintenance tasks described above, close the door, disconnect the power supply, put on a pair of sturdy gloves and safety goggles and follow these steps.
1. Clean the Tracks
Start this project by carefully cleaning the tracks with a damp rag. Clean tracks allow the rollers to move smoothly, but remember that lubricating this component will force the opener to work harder. You can use automotive brake cleaner to loosen caked-on grime. Ensure no debris or dirt remains on the tracks for the rollers to get stuck on.
2. Lubricate the Door’s Moving Parts
You should lubricate your garage door’s moving parts at least every six months to keep the door quiet and extend its life span. Do this project more frequently if you rely on your garage as the primary entrance to your home.
You have two options when choosing garage door lubricant.
- Silicone sprays come with a long straw attachment that allows you to access all the nooks and crannies.
- White lithium grease is non-corrosive, water-resistant and heat-resistant. Though applying it by hand can be messy, it creates an even coat that makes surfaces friction-free.
Your garage door maintenance and lubrication checklist should include the following components.
- Hinges: Lift your door slowly and apply the lubricant to the hinges, specifically focusing on the points where they bend for smooth opening and closing.
- Rollers: Rollers are cylindrical pieces that sit in the door track next to the hinges. Lubricate the little bearings inside the rollers, wiping off excess lubricant to ensure your garage door doesn’t become imbalanced.
- Springs: Apply lubricant to the door’s springs and bearing plates. Spray the outside of the springs and the centers of the ball bearings, then open and close the door to spread the lubricant around.
- Lock: Aim at the lock’s keyhole and spray the lubricant. Lubricating the lock allows it to operate smoothly and prevents rust in the long run.
- Top of the rail: Your chain rides on the top part of the rail. Lubricate the top rail and the armbar.
3. Test the Door
Next, test the door by manually opening and closing it. As you do so, listen for odd noises and observe the balance and alignment. The door should move freely up and down and stay in place when partially open. Any issues in this phase may indicate that the door needs adjustment.
What if Lubrication Doesn’t Help?
You may have to call a professional to assess the issue if you still hear odd sounds or the door doesn’t open and shut correctly after lubricating it. An expert may recommend replacing broken components or installing a new, high-quality door with modern safety features. Never attempt to repair a faulty garage door yourself — you could injure yourself without the specialized tools and experience needed to fix the issue.
Why Your Garage Door Makes Noise
A damaged garage door or faulty opener can cause unpleasant sounds. The squeaky sound is an alarm bell that something is wrong with your door, and lubricating it could be part of the solution. However, you shouldn’t wait to hear unusual noises — lubricating your garage door should always be an item on your household maintenance checklist, even if it operates quietly.
Loose Parts
If you can pinpoint the sound’s source, you might repair it yourself. For example, a rattling sound when opening or closing your door could indicate loose nuts or bolts. You can use a ratchet to tighten them.
Call a technician for a thorough inspection if you can’t identify the parts causing the noise.
Garage Door Chains
A loose chain could make a slapping sound when you close or open your door. Tighten the chain to fix the problem.
Worn-Out Rollers
Worn-out hinges or rollers can cause squeaky noises and make your entire garage door shake when opening and closing. Dirty bearings accelerate these problems. Regularly check these parts and clean or replace them as needed.
Seasonal Maintenance Tips
Extreme weather conditions can cause problems with your garage door. Frigid winter temperatures cause the metallic components to contract, which may lead to operational issues. Ice and snow can also compromise the performance of the garage door’s sensors and motor mechanisms. Additionally, winter may cause challenges like broken springs, water damage and cracked weatherstripping. These issues let in freezing air, driving up your energy bills.
Hot weather can cause the metal tracks to expand, leading to sticking. It can also overheat the garage door opener and cause it to fail prematurely. You should regularly inspect the opener’s settings, check for signs of uneven movement or struggles and adjust as necessary.
Year-round, proper lubrication can prevent issues like sticking, sluggish movements and creaking. Silicone-based lubricants ensure the door operates smoothly regardless of the temperature.
Benefits of Professional Maintenance
If you are handy around the house, you may view garage door maintenance and repair as rewarding weekend DIY projects. However, it’s far better to entrust these tasks to professionals for several reasons.
- Save time and money: Garage door technicians have the expertise to identify and address potential issues early, preventing costly repairs or replacements that may arise from DIY mistakes or neglect. Their knowledge and skill can prolong your garage door’s life and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
- Safety and efficiency: Working on heavy garage doors requires specialized training and equipment to avoid injury and further damage.
- Quality of repairs: Professionals’ extensive experience allows them to provide long-lasting results with high-quality parts and outstanding customer service. They will also give you valuable maintenance tips.
- Use the right tools: Some garage door maintenance and repairs require specific equipment you may not have. Professional garage door companies invest in specialized tools to complete their projects.
Schedule Maintenance With Quality Overhead Door
A well-maintained garage door is convenient, safe, efficient and enhances your home’s curb appeal. Don’t wait until you hear odd noises or experience a malfunction — preventive maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure your peace of mind.
Quality Overhead Door is a trustworthy, family-owned company that sells, installs and services residential garage doors and openers. We are authorized dealers for Clopay, CHI, Wayne Dalton and LiftMaster. Schedule your service call today.
