How to Lubricate Your Overhead Garage Door
by Bernice Maldonado on Nov 4, 2017
Regularly lubrication maintenance has a dual purpose. First, it quiets down the garage door. Second, it helps it last longer. Why do garage doors last longer when they are lubricated often? It's all about the parts lasting longer. Don't forget that your overhead door is made of many parts, which are mostly made of steel. This material is susceptible to corrosion that will reduce the lifespan of parts. Lubricants act as a protective layer and keep parts from getting oxidized and thus rusty.
All the same, parts are interconnected. For instance, the garage door rollers move inside the tracks. In other words, parts meet one another as they move. Without lubricants, they will scratch one another and so they will become damaged. Lubes keep them from getting scratched. And since they have the layer of oil coming between them, they don't make noise when they move.
What you need to do before you lubricate garage doors
- Gather everything you need around you – lubes, rags, and a ladder.
- For safety reasons, always disconnect the garage door opener before you lubricate the parts.
- If you open the door, use clamps to keep it open. Should the garage door springs are not in top-notch condition, the door might slide down and hurt you.
- Although this is not a hard task if you are not sure how to do it right, trust a garage door repair technician.
- Choose lubricants designed for garage doors. It's often recommended the usage of silicone lubes for the tracks and springs while the rest of the parts will be fine with light oil.
- Use a spray can with a straw nozzle for your convenience.
- Don't overdo it. Excessive oiling is not good either. Wipe off excessive lubes and always check the floor at the end of the task so that no one will slip.
- Always clean the garage door tracks before you lube them. Remove debris and grime to allow for new lubes to adhere better.
Which overhead garage door parts to lubricate
An overall, it's important to lubricate all the steel parts of your overhead garage door.
- Start with the tracks. Spray a few drops of lubes across each track and then open and close the door a couple of times to allow lubes to be distributed evenly.
- Spray oil to the bearings of the rollers.
- While you are there, oil the hinges too. This will involve oiling the sleeve too. This is the part of the hinge which holds the stem of the roller. You need to rotate the stem of the rollers for the oil to be distributed evenly.
- If you have a torsion spring, step on the ladder and lube the coils and bearings. Use the rag to oil all spring coils from one end to the other.
- If you have extension springs, you still need to lube the coils the same way you would for the torsion spring. Repeat on the other side of the door. Since extension springs utilize pulleys, lube their bearings. Once you lube springs, open and close the door to let the lubes penetrate the springs.
- If you have a chain drive opener, lubricate the chain. Although the chain doesn't need frequent lubrication, the rail where it is housed does.
- Don't forget to lubricate all the small pins of the hinges, which keep the panels of sectional doors together too.
When you are done, plug the opener again and let the garage door run a few times up and down.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
91401 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
72460 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
70960 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
51043 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
29928 Views
Latest Articles
Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home
Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what’s visible...
on Oct 18, 2024
The Appeal and Longevity of Natural Oil Finishes for Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors exude warmth, character, and timeless appeal in any home. To preserve and enhance these qualities, choosing the right finish is...
on May 17, 2024
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home
on Oct 18, 2024
Safety / Security
Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what’s visible...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Importance of Good Home Decor
Homes are like canvases that give you the opportunity to be creative and transform them into how you want them to look and function. Each room in...
When is Furnace Repair Service Required?
Furnace is a very important part of every household of a cold region. Having a properly working furnace will keep you tension free in the winters....
How to Buy and Use a Compost Tumbler
A compost tumbler is an efficient, easy-to-use alternative to a compost bin or open compost pile. Great for urban applications, small spaces, and...
Home Asbestos Exposure: A Modern Menace or Just a Threat of the Past
Most people believe that asbestos is a thing of the past, but that’s not true. It’s used in many consumer products, from brake pads to...
Control Your Energy Costs By Creating Shade (ARA)
Winter is here and with rising fuel costs, the U.S. Department of Energy is already warning that heating bills will be higher this year. Want to...