To lubricate your garage door is to ensure that it will operate smoothly each time you use it. This is also an essential part of reducing the wear and tear that could otherwise shorten the lifetime of your door. Follow these steps to properly lubricate your door.
Clean the Tracks
Regularly cleaning the door’s tracks will reduce your need for replacement parts. This is also important before lubricating the door since debris can interfere with the lubricating process. To begin, use a vacuum to remove loose dirt and debris from the tracks. Next, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining debris.
Lubricate Your Garage Door
Once you’ve cleaned your door’s tracks, you can then begin to lubricate it. You will want to make sure you lubricate the:
Hinges and Rollers
Lubricating the hinges and rollers of your garage door is a key part of its maintenance. It can help to have a second person gradually lift the door as you use lithium- or silicone-based spray-on grease to lubricate the door’s hinges. Spray a generous amount of grease onto each hinge.
The can of grease should come with a straw applicator. Attach the straw to the nozzle to lubricate the rollers. This will make it easier to lubricate the bearings inside the rollers.
Springs and Plates
At the top of the door, you’ll see springs and circular bearing plates on each side of the springs. Use the spray-on grease to liberally coat the springs and plates. After applying the grease, open and close the door to help spread the grease along the springs.
Top Rail and Arm Bar
The top rail connects to the garage’s ceiling and runs parallel to it. You’ll also see a chain running along this rail. Lubricate the full length of the rail and chain with the grease.
The arm bar is the connecting piece between the top rail and the garage door. Make sure to lubricate this part as well.
Lock
While it’s easy to overlook the door’s lock, you should spray a little lubricant into this spot as well. This will keep it functioning at its best and reduce the risks of the lock rusting.
Test Your Door
Finally, you should operate your door to see how it functions. It should open and close in a smooth motion, and it should run relatively quietly. If you don’t notice a change in the door’s operation, you might need garage door repairs. A technician can identify the cause of specific problems for you.
Have You Scheduled a Garage Door Tune-Up Lately?
As a home-grown company based in Portland, DBar Garage Doors consistently offers reliable and high-quality service to all of our customers. We can provide the maintenance you need to keep your garage door in premium condition, as well as repairs and new door installation as those services become necessary.
To schedule a garage door tune-up, contact us today.
