If you hear squeaky noises every time you open your garage door, it may be in dire need of lubrication. Do you perform regular maintenance cleaning? Remember, you use your garage doors multiple times every day.
Daily wear and tear without routine tune-ups will deteriorate the parts faster. Eventually, the noises may get worse, and your garage door can stop working altogether, at which point you may require garage door services. Fortunately, you can silence these noisy doors and prevent total malfunction with proper lubrication. If you are wondering how to do this, keep on reading.
Reasons for Lubricating Your Garage Doors
You must lubricate your garage doors every six months. This reduces the friction between the small ports, freeing up your door’s range of motion. With optimal functionality, you do not need to worry about stuck doors that can delay your appointments.
Lubrication will also make it much easier for the motor to open and close the door. As a result, you put less stress on the mechanism. Consequently, you extend the life of your garage doors with proper greasing.
This allows you to prevent costly repairs and replacements. With proper maintenance work, you minimize complex problems. You can also prevent any accidents due to a malfunction.
Do not wait before it’s too late to perform these procedures. By the time you hear a noisy garage door, it means your system is already working extra hard. It would be better to stick to a lubricating schedule or seek professional maintenance from a reputable San Diego garage door repairman.
The Pre-Lubrication Requirements You Must Implement
Putting a lubricant on your garage door is not something you slap on and leave. Before you break open your lubricant’s seal, you must first do these pre-lubrication requirements. These are vital for the success of your DIY project. Check out these key elements:
1. You must tighten everything.
Before you begin lubrication, you must tighten every part of your garage door. This pertains to all the nuts and bolts. Ensure they are snug, but resist the urge to over tighten.
As you do this, check for parts that look worse for wear. You should consider replacing them if needed. If you are not sure, calling a garage door specialist will help.
2. You must inspect all the hinges.
If the hinges are bad, they make noise. As a result, it causes your garage door to bind. This may be the reason why your door gets stuck at each section as it opens.
3. You should evaluate the rollers.
Your garage rollers possess unsealed bearings. Because of this, they will collect dirt and gunk over time. It can result in a breakdown.
When the latter occurs, you will notice them wobbling in their track. This may also be the primary culprit for all that noise you hear. Replacing these bearings may be necessary, and if you do not know what to do, it is best to call the pros.
4. You must tighten the chain.
Loose garage door chains tend to make slapping noises. The annoying sound should be a cause for concern. If you do not address this issue, it can cause the door to jerk, which may lead to an accident.
Remember, if you do not know what to do with a major garage door repair, call for help. Once you have gotten a thorough inspection, routine lubrication means you do not need to rely on the pros too often. When you finally complete these pre-lubrication requirements, you are ready to proceed with the next step by oiling your doors.
A Quick Tutorial on How to Lubricate Your Garage Door
Whether it is your first time lubricating your garage door or you are not a handyman, you have nothing to fret about. Lubrication is easy with store-bought specialty oils. Application is also not complex.
First, prep all the necessary products and tools like the door oils, cleaning rags, cleaners, etc. Wear an old outfit because it can get messy. Do not forget to wear protective hand gloves, a face mask, and work googles. You will disrupt a lot of dirt, so donning protective coverings will keep allergies, irritation, and asthma at bay.
You need to ensure that you pay thorough attention to details. Make it a point to lubricate all the moving parts of your garage door. For best results, follow this quick step-by-step tutorial below:
Step 1: Close the Doors
Be sure to close your garage door before starting. Turn off your garage door opener, too. This will prevent accidental openings as you work on it. You can also turn off the circuit breaker for assurance that the power is off.
Step 2: Work on the Tracks
Pay attention to the tracks because this is where your garage roller doors ride on to open and close. Be mindful not to use a lubricant on these tracks because it will make it harder for the rollers to move.
However, you must ensure they are completely clean so you can operate your door correctly. Here is what you can do:
- Start by dusting the tracks with a dry rag.
- If you have a tough time getting into the tiny crevices of the track, you can suck it out with the small attachment of your vacuum cleaner.
- After the dry rag, switch to a damp rag to ensure everything is wiped from the inside to the outside of the tracks. A damp cloth will attract and remove the debris, dust, and dirt.
- You can also utilize an automotive brake cleaner to get off the soot and grime.
Step 3: Wipe the Doors
After cleaning the tracks, use another rag to give your interior and exterior garage doors a quick wipe down. Remember, the body of the doors themselves are exposed to the elements. They also get abused daily, so quickly wiping off the accumulated debris will give them new life.
Step 4: Slowly Open the Doors to Oil Hinges
After cleaning the tracks and the body:
- Open the garage door manually and slowly.
- Get your oil to lubricate all the hinges.
- Pay close attention to where they intersect with the bend of the track.
Lubricating the moving parts shall make the door function smoothly. For best results, one or two sprays on every hinge are ideal to ensure you cover them all with the product.
Step 5: Oil the Rollers
After working on the hinges, lubricate the rollers, especially the tiny ball bearings within. Each roller will have this bearing, so patience is key. You do not need to douse it with lubricant.
Instead, make it a point to wipe off any excess oils. This prevents your door from losing its equilibrium. Unbalanced doors do not work efficiently.
These rollers are the circular moving parts of your door which attach to the hinges. To ensure smooth operation, lubrication is key. You can use a thin hose attachment to get the tiny ball bearings.
As a side note: if you have nylon rollers, do not lubricate them. A simple dusting will do.
Step 6: Work on the Springs and Plates
At the top of your garage door, you will find different bearing plates and springs. They act as a cushion preventing jagged movements. Lubricate these parts as they receive a lot of pressure.
After applying the oil, turn on your garage opener. You need to open and close the garage doors several times to ensure the lubricant distributes properly. The movement will ensure even grease distribution.
For easy application, take note of the following:
- Use a step ladder so you can reach the bearing plates and springs.
- If the springs are noisy, apply grease to the springs.
- Should the springs be bent or deformed, you must replace them before proceeding.
Step 7: Check the Armbar and Lock (Optional)
If your doors have an armbar and lock, lubricate them. They install these parts so you can manually lock your garage door. Pay attention to the keyhole, and then grease the big armbar above the door.
The grease will deter rust from forming. Remember, your garage lock is exposed to harsh elements, so lubrication can prevent corrosion. You can point the lubricant directly into the keyhole and give it one spray.
Step 8: Grease the Top of the Rail
The top of the rail is vital since your garage chain rides on it. It traverses your ceiling as well. Put grease on top of this rail and spread it around with a clean rag. Remember the following tips:
- You do not need to put oil on the chain because it has a built-in all-natural lubricant.
- There is no need to spray the bottom of the rails as this does not have any significant effect.
- Check your garage door owner’s manual to see if there are any special instructions on maintaining your specific garage door opener.
Hacks for Efficient Garage Door Greasing
You must lubricate all the moving parts regularly unless otherwise specified (for example, the nylon rollers do not need it). Do this maintenance project every six months to prevent damage and promotes longevity. Lubrication also ensures your doors remain quiet.
However, if you live in a harsh environment, you may need to lubricate more often. To illustrate, if you live near the beach, saltwater corrodes metal parts faster. Hence, you need to grease more often than usual.
Similarly, adding lubrication during the winter months is vital. Your door springs become brittle when the temperature drops. When your garage door parts lose their elasticity, they can break and snap. This is more costly to fix and even quite dangerous if the snapped parts hit someone.
Selecting the Best Garage Door Lubrication for Optimal Results
The process of greasing your garage doors begins with selecting the right lubricant. It would be best to look for white lithium grease or silicone sprays. The best ones come in aerosol sprays for coating all the tiny moving parts.
Moreover, you need to pick an all-weather product because temperate weather can make the grease viscous. With this thick product, it will be much harder to open and close your garage door. Scout around for different lubricants because there is a broad range of brands in the store and online.
Steer clear of the usual lubricants like ordinary WD-40, engine oil, or mechanic’s grease. These have different components, making them prone to dust and dirt accumulation. Avoid these products to extend the life of your doors.
Look at the top two choices:
- Silicone Sprays
These products are excellent as they come with a long, thin straw-type attachment. This part makes it easy to get the silicone, even in the tiniest moving door parts.
Besides, this product is known for its longevity and durability. It can also withstand different temperatures, making it a perfect fit no matter what the climate is in your area.
- White Lithium Grease
This does not come in an aerosol spray. Instead, you need to apply it by hand. You can make it less messy by using work gloves.
Some people prefer this because it is easier to evenly spread around. For the tiny parts, you can use a q-tip to reach the areas. It will take time, though, so patience is key.
The most critical part about white lithium grease is its components. This is made of soap and oil, making it non-corrosive, which means no rusting. Most of all, it adheres and will attach to metal parts extremely well.
Final Wrap Up
When you do not properly inspect and maintain your garage doors, they will become noisy, squeaky, and annoyingly loud. These sounds are a major sign that your doors need greasing. If you leave them untreated, it can lead to more complex damage and costly repairs.
With proper lubrication, you can avoid these noises and prevent trouble. If you need help, our team at Coastal Garage Doors can do a bi-annual or annual inspection for you. We will not only grease your doors but fix all the worn-out parts to deter escalation. Give us a call for a free quote.