Over time and with constant use, garage doors might lose their sparkle and accumulate dirt and grime on them. It may not be a hazard right away but when it groans or creeks or produces sounds that it shouldn’t, it’s screaming for a little TLC.
Lubricating your garage door is the best way to keep those screeching sounds at bay. Every six months or so, you should consider lubricating the door to make sure that these small sounds don’t blow up into a functional hazard.
Here we have compiled a list of tips you can use while following the standard lubricating process for garage doors.
Get the materials you might need on hand
Before you even begin, it is important to have everything you might require handy. Learn about the exact lubricating agents your door requires and arrange for things like brake cleaners, vacuum cleaners, extra rags, and definitely a ladder.
Choosing the right lubricant
The primary element is the product you use for lubrication. Avoid things like mechanical grease or engine oil as they can easily attract grime and do more harm than good. Stick to Aerosol sprays which can be versatile in reaching hard to get to parts. And remember that the best lubricant for garage doors is Silicone Spray or White Lithium Grease. Silicone is long-lasting and sustains a wide range of temperatures while White Lithium Grease is non-corrosive and does a very good job of sticking to the metal surface.
Clean tracks with an automotive brake cleaner or vacuum
Start with cleaning the tracks. NOT Lubricating them. Use a rag to dust it off or in case of greater debris deposition, do a power cleaning with a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. You can also use an automotive brake cleaner for getting rid of tough stuff.
Lubricating bearing plates might require a ladder… so get one
Mostly, bearing plates and springs are attached on the top of these doors and lubricating those will require a boost. Keep your ladder handy and then go for the challenge.
Immediately call for replacing the bent or damaged springs
In case you notice something off about the springs like being damaged in some way or showing a bend, call for a replacement as it may pose a danger to the functioning of your door.
Enlist help to Lubricate these hinges… but not if they are plastic
Lubricating the hinges requires holding up the door manually, and applying the lubricant on the hinges. This is more easily done by 2 than a single person. Enlist some help to finish the job properly but make sure to check the hinges, because lubricating a plastic hinge is a big no.
Lubricate rollers…but not if they are nylon
For a smooth, quiet movement of the door, rollers need to be checked and lubricated. However, if they are made of nylon, keep the lubricant away.
Test before you leave
Once you have oiled everything like bearings, springs, rollers, rail, hinges and lock, connect the power and move the door up and down a few times to test your hard work. The movement will also ensure even distribution of the lubricant everywhere.
If you can still hear a jarring noise or a screech, try doing it all over again.
Consult the manual
Since each garage door is different, you might need to consult the User Manual for yours. The manual will tell you exactly what points need to be lubricated, how often and which parts need to be avoided.
With all those tips and following the manual, you can keep your garage door operations smooth and soundless for a very long time.