A garage door is just like any piece of machinery. All the parts need to run smoothly for the whole system to operate without a fault. The saying goes “like a well-oiled machine”. Without oil, the parts become rusty and slowly start to deteriorate.
Lubricating the moving parts of a garage door is an integral part of maintaining it. Regular servicing is extremely important because without it, any machine falters. The more you neglect the issues, the more damage occurs.
In San Diego, garage door maintenance professionals know all the key points of good lubrication. Go with the saying, and make your garage door run like a well-oiled machine. Find out what the best garage door lubricant is and how to lube your garage door.
What is the best garage door lubricant?
Before going all out on buying a pack of lubricants for your garage door, there are a couple of things to consider. Everything that is lubricated needs a specific type of lubricant based on the material.
When it comes to garage door lubrication, there are a couple of things to consider:
- Lubricant type
- Lubricant form
- Lubricant durability
Lubricant type
The most important factor is the type of lubricant you are using for your garage door parts. There are two basic types, silicone-based and lithium-based lubricant. Don’t opt for oil, because it can collect dirt and dust particles which makes your door run worse than before. Lithium-based lubricants have the disadvantage of being thick and generally intended for flat surfaces, which makes them ill-suited as a lubricant for garage door mechanisms.
Resistant to most weather conditions and easy-to-use, silicone-based lubricants are a great choice for garage door lubrication. Their composition makes it easier to reach difficult spots. For this reason, silicon is considered to be the go-to lubrication option among reputable garage door professionals.
Lubricant form
Most garage door maintenance professionals recommend spray lubricants, with silicon lubricant being the most effective option. After being sprayed onto the rollers, springs, and hinges, this lubricant works its way through the components of the door and enables a smooth, friction-free operation.
The main advantage of spray lubricants is that they are far easier to apply and can reach parts of the door that other types of lubricants can’t get into. They are not very long-lasting, but spraying the parts frequently is much easier than doing so manually.
Lubricant durability
No lubricant can last forever. Although, it should last at least a couple of months. The point is that you cannot spray up your garage door and think that you don’t have to do it ever again.
Lubrication is necessary. You shouldn’t do it every day, because it will cause dripping or damage to the moving parts of your garage door. Usually, you should do it every few months. This largely depends on the weather conditions and the condition of your garage door.
If your garage door is in a good condition, and the weather conditions are mild, every 2-3 months should be perfect. If there’s extreme heat, you should do it more frequently, because lubricant wears out easily when it’s hot.
Depending on your preference, you can choose the best lubricant for your garage door according to these factors.
How to lube your garage door?
When you purchase the type of lubricant that works best for your garage door, you should know how to lubricate it. The parts that need lubrication are hinges, rollers, bearing plates, springs, the lock, the armbar, and rails.
The garage door lubrication should be done in this order:
- When the door is open, lift it up a little and spray the hinges. Opening and closing the door becomes much smoother after you do this. One spray should do the trick, two sprays make perfect.
- Rollers look like little wheels, it’s easy to spot them. Make sure that they are well-lubricated, and remove excess lubricant to maintain door balance.
- You can find the springs on top of the door, they will have bearing plates at both ends. To be absolutely sure that these are well-lubed, close and open the door to help the silicon lubricant spread after application.
- Lubricating the lock and armbar makes locking the door much easier. Spray it once, and it’s done. You don’t have to worry about it for a long time.
- Last but not least, make sure to spray the top of the railing. You don’t have to spray the bottom as the chain only comes in contact with the top part.
Now you know what type of lube to use and how to lubricate your door. And if you need maintenance, the only thing left is to know who to call.
Who should I call in San Diego for garage door maintenance?
Don’t opt for budget solutions when maintaining your garage door because you wouldn’t do that for any other integral part of your home. Make the right choice so that every arrival home becomes a pleasure.
Backed by 40 years of experience, Dlouhy Doors offers impeccable garage door maintenance that makes your door run smoother than ever. Our services also include garage door repair and installation. One of the best parts is that we offer free on-site estimation. Give us a call, and when you return from a tour of the Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll ride into your garage hearing only the sound of your engine!