Your Garage Door Needs More Lube
Garage doors are often overlooked on our home maintenance lists until they break. But keeping them running smoothly and preventing wear and tear can increase their lifespan as well as make them quieter. To avoid costly repairs later, you should service your door now, including at least oiling it about once every six months.
How to clean and maintain garage doors
Lubricating the parts of your garage door not only keeps it moving smoothly by minimizing metal-to-metal friction, it also protects it from rust. Preventing deposits from building up in the tracks or roller ball bearings will also keep the gate moving smoothly and prevent sagging along the road. The rollers can jump off the track if they don’t spin easily, so make sure this doesn’t happen and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches down the road.
Give him a good cleaning
The first step to successful lubrication is a thorough cleaning of the door rollers, guides and hinges. Vacuum all dirt and dust and use a dry rag to wipe off any remaining debris, as any material that sticks to the door hardware between the grease and the hardware surface will prevent the grease from doing its job. While cleaning, check nuts and bolts for tightness, inspect the springs for rust, and make sure the chain is tight. If you encounter stubborn grime, you can remove it with a car brake cleaner or blow it out well with air from a pneumatic hose. Avoid water-based cleaners or bleaches as they can cause rust and promote wear.
Apply lubricant
When you’re done cleaning, the next step is to lubricate the parts with silicone spray or white lithium grease . They are recommended in place of oils or other types of lubricants such as WD-40 because they are less likely to attract and stick to dirt.
First, apply grease to the hinges by slowly lifting the door, one panel at a time, and applying grease to each hinge. Then you will need to lubricate the rollers. Then use the ladder to get to the springs and base plates located in the garage ceiling above the door and apply some lube to them. Finally, don’t forget the bracket along the ceiling, as well as any latches or locks. Raise and lower the door a few times once you have finished rubbing in the lubricant.
Make repairs
If you find any damage to the springs during the inspection, call a professional as replacing them can be difficult and even dangerous. Other parts, such as hinges or bolts, you can easily replace yourself. Remember to inspect the sealing tape at the bottom of the door and replace it if damaged to keep moisture from seeping into the garage. If you’re not sure what part you’re looking for, take the broken one with you to the hardware store to help you find a replacement.