The Importance of Garage Door Lubrication

Your garage door opens and closes at a simple click of a button, thanks to a carefully designed system of moving parts working together. These moving parts will not function properly unless they are allowed to move smoothly and efficiently - hence the importance of garage door lubrication. Proper lubrication is an integral part of any garage door. The lubrication of the wheels, rollers, hinges, springs, and chains should be checked regularly.



The Advantages of Garage Door Lubrication

Lubrication is not an optional extra on your garage door; it is essential. Lubrication allows all the essential moving parts to slide smoothly on their designated tracks. The free movement of these parts reduces friction and strain, which means that your opener does not have to work quite so hard. It also prevents those components, such as hinges and wheels, from wearing out too quickly. We cannot overestimate the importance of garage door lubrication: without it, the motor and the moving parts could both have a reduced lifespan, and your door will not work as well as it should.

How to Lubricate a Garage Door

As much as you should never forget the importance of garage door lubrication, it is also vital to seek out the right lubricant for the job. It is best to use a white lithium lubricant, which could come in the form of either a grease or a spray. Either form will work just fine. 

Next, cut the power to the door opener to prevent the door from opening accidentally while you are working on it. Before applying any lubricant, clean the tracks carefully. Dirt can collect on the tracks over time, which prevents the rollers from moving smoothly and will interfere with your attempts to lubricate them. 

Once the tracks are clean, open the door manually, and then apply lubricant to the hinges. After the hinges are all lubed up, move on to the rollers. For this task, a silicone lubricant with a thin tube applicator is the best option. The hinges and rollers are the most important moving parts, but you will also need to apply some lubricant to the bearing plates, springs, the top rail, and the armbar.

Once you have applied lubricant to all the moving parts, connect the power again, and test the door a few times to make sure it is running well.

Frequency and Timing of Garage Door Lubrication

You should do your garage door lubrication maintenance at least once every six months. You might need to increase the frequency if you notice that the door is not running as it should be. 

Signs Garage Door Lubrication is Needed

The most unmistakable tell-tale sign that garage door lubrication is needed is a squeaking noise whenever you open or close it. You may also find that the door moves with difficulty when you try to operate it, slowing down or getting stuck. There could be other reasons for this, of course, but the first thing you should check is the lubrication.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Lubrication

It is easy to make the following mistakes when lubricating your door. Steer clear of them if you want to keep your door running in good order and prolong its operational life:

• Don’t use petroleum-based lubricants: They don’t protect against corrosion as well as white lithium or silicone products do.
• Never lubricate the tracks. Focus on the parts we have mentioned above. Lubricating the tracks can actually make it more difficult for the rollers to move.
• Don’t overuse the lubricant: Apply light coats and then reapply if necessary. Applying too much makes the job messy and leads to waste.

Tri-Lakes Garage Doors supplies and installs quality garage doors throughout the Front Range area. Contact us for more information about our custom garage doors. Please always remember the importance of garage door lubrication. If you should have any major problems with your garage doors, don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to one of our technicians.