How and Why You Should Use Garage Door Lubricant
No one expects their chain-driven garage door opener to be completely silent. After all, this hard-working equipment lifts and lowers a heavy garage door several times a day. But even accounting for that, you might occasionally notice that your door opener sounds louder than usual. If so, it could be an indication that it’s time to lubricate your garage door chain.
Doing so on a regular basis can help improve the performance and lifespan of your opener and your hardware. Here are some tips to help you learn how to lubricate a garage door opener chain and other vital components.
Why Lubricate at All?
We hardly give our garage doors and openers a second thought, assuming they’ll continue to do their jobs until they can’t anymore. This out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude can lead to your equipment burning out much faster than it should. Over time, the grease that protects the chain can become contaminated with dust and grit. This causes it to go from slick and slippery to gooey and grimy. Instead of protecting the metal parts, the grease slowly wears them down every time they move.
Bearings also can lose their oil with each use due to the weight of the components. If you notice a grinding or screeching sound whenever you operate your garage door, it’s most likely a sign that the hardware needs some grease. Without it, the parts can deteriorate quickly, leading to malfunctions and perhaps even costly repairs. This is why knowing how to lubricate your garage door chain and other components can be so important.
HOW AND WHEN TO LUBRICATE
Knowing when and how to grease your garage door chain will help you get the most out of it. It’s generally recommended that you do this once a year, so making it part of your annual spring garage cleanout can help you remember. You should use white lithium grease, which can be found in a spray can at most hardware stores. Once you have the right lubricant, you should:
- Unplug your opener and engage the safety lock to prevent it from moving during the process. Remove the chain guard if you have one.
- Wipe down the tracks with a rag to remove any grease or dirt that may have accumulated.
- Using a small amount of lubricant to prevent drips, spray the chain, hinges, torsion springs and rollers.
- Avoid getting any lubricant on the tracks because it will trap dirt and prevent the rollers from moving easily.
- Once everything has received a light coating of lubricant, disengage the safety lock and reconnect the power to the opener. Open and close the door once to ensure the grease is evenly distributed.
KEEP YOUR DOOR IN GOOD CONDITION
Regular maintenance will ensure that your equipment remains in good working order for as long as possible. Keeping your garage clean and dry is a key part of that, so a threshold seal from GaraDry® can be an effective addition. By sealing any gaps between the door and the floor, it can block out rain, snow, dirt and pests that could create problems. Check out our product line and find a seal that will work for you.