How To Lubricate A Noisy Garage Door
Posted by Scott Moses on
How to Lubricate Garage Doors in 5 Easy Steps
Wondering how to properly lubricate your garage doors? Garage doors have various components like hinges, springs, rails, and chains that can generate noise due to friction when opening or closing. The good news is that resolving this issue is straightforward – all you need to do is apply lubrication to the various parts of your garage door.
To effectively lubricate your garage doors, follow these five steps:
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Begin by cleaning the garage door tracks with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and debris, ensuring they are entirely clean.
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Use lithium grease as your garage door lubricant to apply to parts like the garage door springs and rollers. Avoid using WD-40 or oil, as they may initially lubricate the garage door but can attract dirt over time, counteracting the purpose.
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Slightly lift the garage door and apply the garage door lubricant to the hinges. A single spray is usually sufficient; there's no need to overdo it.
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Operate your garage door by opening and closing it to check if the hinges are still making noise. If the noise persists, apply additional lubrication as needed. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to replace the garage door hinges. However, this process can be risky, so it's advisable to seek the assistance of a qualified technician rather than attempting it yourself.
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Finally, apply lubrication to the upper part of the rail. In many cases, insufficient lubrication in this area can cause the chain to produce noise when you operate the garage door. Accessing the rail might be a bit challenging, so having a step ladder on hand can be very helpful.
If lubricating and greasing your garage door parts doesn't resolve the noise issue and it persists, you may consider replacing the affected components. However, if you're not completely confident in your ability to perform this task, it's advisable to entrust it to trained professionals. It's not just a matter of potentially causing further damage to your garage door parts; mishandling the replacement process could lead to elements falling off, posing risks of injury or even fatality. Whether it's the springs or hinges that require replacement, we strongly recommend reaching out to a qualified technician.
Remember, it's essential to use only lithium grease as a garage door lubricant, as opposed to WD-40 or oil. While WD-40 or oil may initially lubricate the garage door effectively, they tend to attract dirt over time, which can be counterproductive.
Why Is My Garage Door Squeaking?
While your garage serves various purposes, including parking your car, storing items you're not ready to part with, or functioning as a small repair center, the garage door can often become a source of bothersome noise. Multiple factors could contribute to this undesirable situation, ranging from inadequate maintenance to wear and tear or even the type of noisy garage door opener.
Typically, you might not pay much attention to your garage door until it inconveniences you. Even if it continues to open and close, any movement may be accompanied by an irritating noise that can disturb your family or, potentially, your neighbors. Consulting an experienced technician is a viable option, but there's a good chance that you can address the issue on your own.
Bent Garage Door Tracks
The presence of a bent track might be the cause of the issues you're facing with your garage door. While you can still manage to open and close the door, if you hear a rubbing noise during this operation, it's likely due to a bent track.
Loose Garage Door Parts
Excessive noise during the operation of your garage door could be attributed to the looseness of one of its components. Pinpointing the exact source of this noise, whether it's the garage door rollers, nuts, chain, or another element, can be a time-consuming task. However, your job becomes somewhat easier when you can associate the type of sound with a specific moving part of the garage door.
If you hear a rattling sound while opening or closing the door, it's likely a result of loose nuts or bolts. Loose nuts and bolts are among the most common culprits for noisy garage doors, and they come with a relatively straightforward solution. Use a ratchet to ensure that no nut or bolt is loose. Be cautious not to apply excessive force, as this could potentially damage the door and have the opposite effect of what you intended.
Broken Garage Door Rollers
Conversely, a squeaking sound may suggest that the culprits behind the noise are the hinges or rollers. Over time, due to wear and tear, the entire door might shake as it opens and closes. It's essential to note that if the bearings of the garage door rollers become dirty, they will wear out much more rapidly, underscoring the importance of regular inspections to assess their condition.
If you find that the rollers are indeed worn out, it's advisable to consider replacing them with nylon rollers. Nylon rollers are a highly recommended choice as they are notably quieter and eliminate the need for frequent oiling. By opting for this solution, you not only effectively address the problem but also alleviate the need for ongoing maintenance of the garage door rollers. However, it's worth noting that this solution may come at a higher cost.
Garage Door Opener Chains
If you notice a distinct "slapping" sound when operating your garage door, it may be a sign that the chain is responsible for the noise. In this situation, resolving the problem might be as straightforward as tightening the chain.
Could the Issues With Garage Doors Be Caused by Something Else?
It also could be the case that you lubricate all the garage door parts, tighten all the bolts, and there are no apparent problems, yet still, there’s a noise. In this case, the garage door opener might be to blame. Chain drive garage door openers are typically the loudest, which is why if you want to get rid of the noise, you should consider installing a belt drive garage door opener instead.