Written by Custom Overhead Door and published on https://customoverheaddoors.net.

In most homes, the garage door is the single largest moving part. It is big and heavy, particularly so if you have a wind-loaded door with extra bracing. Over a year, if you use your door an average of three to four times a day, it will go up and down about 1000 to 1500 times. Garage doors are not inexpensive to replace and proper care of it will ensure you do not have to replace anything for years to come. When it rains or snows you always run the risk of the moving parts becoming rusty. This does not only ruin a garage door but can be dangerous if a track or spring should fail. If you notice some screeching noises from your garage door, you should know it is time to have a checkup. Components including screws, springs, tracks, and hinges are made of metal, they need to remain lubricated. Understanding how to lubricate your garage door components can increase the longevity of the door.

How To Properly Lubricate A Garage Door

If you ever notice an awful screeching noise coming from your garage door, it’s a sign your door needs a health check-up.

Since the screws, springs, hinges, and tracks are all made of metal, they need to stay lubricated. Knowing how to lubricate a garage door will help increase its longevity and give your ears a break.

How to Lubricate a Garage Door

The proper way to lubricate your garage door starts with using the right solution. We recommend using a non-silicone lubricant such as LPS 2.

Always avoid spraying WD-40 on any part of your garage door. People often mistake this product, which contains anti-rust and degreasing properties, with a lubricant because the bottle states it helps parts move more smoothly. But WD-40 is a cleaning solvent, not a lubricant. It’s also important to avoid using grease at all costs. Grease will create a stickiness that’s hard to clean, so it can lead to a faster buildup of damaging debris.

Parts of Garage Door to Lubricate

Many parts of a garage door require frequent lubrication for smooth opening and closing operation, which should be part of your self-designed garage door preventive maintenance. Before lubricating, be sure to clean all parts with a dry cloth to remove any dust or debris. As you begin the lubrication process, use another dry cloth to clean as you go, avoiding excessive dripping on the garage floor.

Once you’re all set, you can begin to lubricate the following parts:

• • Hinges: Lubricate the hinges at their pivot points. Only do this for metal hinges, though. Avoid applying anything to plastic parts. Some lubricants can cause the plastic to break down over time.

• • Rollers: Metal rollers are how your garage door travels up and down. If your rollers feature nylon wheels, be sure to lubricate the rollers without getting any lubricant on the nylon material. While metal rollers require less precision, it’s a good idea to protect your floor and your car from any drips along the way.

• • Springs: Locate the torsion springs that lift and lower your garage door. This is one of the most important parts of a garage door to lubricate because lubricating the springs can increase their efficiency as well as their lifespan. Apply just enough to make them move better.

It’s crucial that you do not apply any solution to the bearings or tracks of your door. You can clean them to ensure they are functioning at their best, but lubricant will not help these parts perform better.

Lubrication is Key to Garage Door Health

You need to keep in mind that lubricating your garage door components will not make them perform better, but will surely help improve their lifespan. You need to ensure that you schedule regular inspections alongside necessary maintenance services to ensure that current and future problems are detected before they become major issues on your garage door.