What should I use to lubricate my garage door?

March 6, 2019

Your garage door and door opener system are made up of many moving parts that are under significant tension and are subjected to significant weight and a lot of use. Lubrication is crucial, and many homeowners turn to WD-40 to maintain parts and reduce noise. While cleaning the tracks and hitting those moving parts with a lubricant twice a year is a great idea, WD-40 is not up to the task.

Your best bet is to use a silicone spray or a commercial garage door grease to treat moving parts on your garage door. These heavy-duty lubricants are designed so they do not break down under the weight of the garage door and the mechanical stress related to frequent use. They also can withstand the temperatures extremes that are common in garages in that are not heated in the winter or cooled in the summer.

Silicone sprays are as easy to use as WD-40 and will protect all moving parts, including hinges, rollers and pulleys, keeping parts operating smoothly and keeping them free of rust.

We recommend first cleaning the tracks to remove dirt and debris. You can use WD-40 for effective cleaning of the tracks, as well as wiping the hinges, rollers and springs to remove and prevent rust. Your silicone-based lubricant should then be applied to all hinges, rollers, pulleys and bearings. You also can add lubricant at the bend in the track and the last several inches of track to reduce noise and protect from corrosion.

If you have a belt-driver opener, you should not use lubricant. Contact a professional if you are uncertain as to the proper maintenance of your garage door opener.

Our experts are always available to provide maintenance services that will keep your garage door and opener in top condition. Call today.

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