A well-maintained garage door functions quietly and smoothly without causing noise and friction. The garage doors often produce noise and friction due to their poor functioning parts. Thus, lubrication is the easiest and most effective method for the optimal maintenance of garage doors. So, the primary question often asked by homeowners is, “How often should you lubricate garage doors”? Generally, garage doors need to be lubricated once or twice a year to achieve smooth operation. However, the frequency of lubrication depends on how often garage doors are used.
To know more, refer to this blog where we have discussed why lubrication is important, how frequently lubrication should be done and the steps to lubricate garage doors.
Why Lubrication of Garage Doors is Required?
Lubrication of garage doors is required for their smooth functioning. The moving parts of garage doors, such as rollers, hinges, springs and chains, cause friction. Gradually, it can cause the parts of the garage door system to wear down, resulting in increased noise and potential malfunctions. Therefore, lubricating your garage door will come handy and will allow those parts to glide smoothly, causing less friction and strain on garage doors.
Lubrication also helps maintain the garage door and operate it with less noise. For instance, if you notice your garage door squeaking or sounding louder than usual, lubrication could be a great solution for it. Overall, it will increase the lifespan of the garage door and its parts.
How Often Garage Door Should Be Lubricated?
Generally, moving parts of garage doors should be lubricated once every three to six months, or about two to three times per year, depending on the frequency of use. This will help garage doors to operate with less noise.
Factors affecting lubrication frequency
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Weather conditions vary in different areas. You may have to lubricate the moving parts of the garage door more often in a harsh environment. For example, living near the coastal region.
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In areas with extreme weather conditions around the salty coastal regions or areas with cold climates, lubrication may be needed more frequently than every three months. Moreover, the rails or garage door may require lubrication once a year but do not need much maintenance.
How to Lubricate Garage Door?
With regular and proper lubrication, garage doors can function efficiently. Below are the steps that ensure every moving part of the garage door operates smoothly.
Step 1: Switch Off Garage Door Opener
If you have an automatic garage door, unplug the opener or switch off the power to avoid accidents while lubricating.
Step 2: Clean the Door Tracks
Take a damp cloth and scrub in and out of the tracks to remove dirt, dust and debris. Avoid lubricating the tracks as it can attract grime, and cause hindrance in door opening. Additionally, use an automotive brake cleaner to clean the dirty track by breaking the dirt build up.
Step 3: Lubricate All Moving Parts
Begin with lubricating the following parts of the garage door.
Hinges - First, open the door and apply lubricant to each hinge where it bends, ensuring smooth movement without creaking.
Rollers - Apply lubricant to small ball bearings in each roller and wipe away any extra lubricant to avoid imbalance. Moreover, refrain from lubricating nylon rollers to prevent damaging of the material.
Springer and bearing plates - Lubricate the torsion springs and the circular bearing plates located at the top of the door. Afterward, open and close the door to check if the grease has been evenly distributed.
Armbar and Lock - In case you have a garage door with a manual lock, apply lubricant to the armbar, lock mechanism and keyhole. This helps in the prevention of rust, making the lock and unlock of doors easier.
Opener Rail - Lastly, apply lubricant at the top of opener rail. Then, evenly distribute the grease using a cloth.
Step 4: Use the Door to Spread the Grease
Finally, switch on the power source. Then, occasionally open and close the door to ensure all the moving parts are adequately coated with grease or not.
Conclusion
Lubrication is an essential aspect for the longevity and effective maintenance of garage doors. With the understanding of how frequently you should lubricate the garage doors and their moving parts, it will get easier to maintain the smooth operation for a long period of time. Ensure to lubricate the garage door properly and regularly to avoid costly repairs later.
