Don’t get stuck- Why you should Lubricate Your Doors Today!

It’s summer (and HOOOOOT) here in the Hudson Valley. With intense heat can come a vicious cycle of humid and dry air. Like the rest of us, you may notice your garage door is also taking its sweet time. Maybe you’re hearing some unusual squeaks/groans. Can’t blame it—everything moves more slowly in the summertime, after all.

At Whitaker’s Garage Door Store, we know you’re busy. You’ve got things to do and places to be, and you don’t have time to fiddle around! Your garage door is important; it offers seamless access to your home, provides security, and (as we’ve discussed previously) heightens curb appeal. Therefore, the best way to safeguard your door is regular lubrication.

What does that mean? Essentially, lubrication keeps elements like the rollers, pins and bearings moving quietly and functioning seamlessly. Just like your car needs the oil changed every few months, your door needs special attention to work at full capacity.

Lucky for you, garage door lubrication is simple— and doesn’t take long! It’s a worthwhile investment of your time and can make an incredible difference! 

You will need: 

• Non-silicone lubricant spray (the kind with a straw nozzle).
  *NO W-D40 or oil-based products!

• A step ladder, and safety goggles (the lubricant can spray back toward you, and the last thing you want is this stuff in your eyes!).

• A rag (to wipe away drips and excess lubricant).

Turn off the power to your garage door before you begin! Let everyone in your household know you’re planning on starting this project. If someone tries to open the door while you’re working, you risk serious injury!

The extremely powerful torsion spring (which carries the door’s weight as it opens or closes) is the most hazardous component of your door. You can lubricate it, but DO NOT try to remove it from the door.

When you’re ready to move forward (power off/safety goggles on) take the lubricant in hand and treat each pivot point on the door. This includes the hinges, bearings and springs.

Spray enough lubricant on these parts that you can see it. Treat both sides of the rollers (and any places where metal is rubbing against metal). To lubricate the overhead track and torsion spring, simply spray the lubricant on top and leave it. Opening and closing the door will ensure the spread of the spray through the spring, allowing the door to open more smoothly. 

You can wipe away excess lubricant as you go. The vertical tracks can simply be wiped down with a clean rag (the big deal here is removing any dust/dirt).

Note: If you can see the lubricant coming out of the can when you spray, and there’s a little you have to wipe away, you’re using enough. 

When you’re done, we recommend manually opening and closing your door a few times to ensure the proper spread of lubricant into the pivot points (you can also turn the power back on and do this with your controller- you don’t have to wait).

This should alleviate any aches and pains your door’s been having, but if you notice there’s still a squeak or groan, try this process again in a few days. After that, if the problem persists— give us a call! There could be an issue with alignment or your torsion spring—and we’re always willing to help.

One last mention: It’s a good idea to lubricate your garage door twice a year, at least. If you don’t use your garage door very often, you may be able to get away with once a year; However, it’s still a good idea to schedule maintenance for your garage door — that way, you can be sure it will open and close when you need it to.

Taking care of your garage door before you run into a problem is always a good idea. After all, you just invested your hard-earned money to elevate your home’s façade and curb appeal—you’ll likely rely a lot on this extra access. Essentially, by caring for your door, you’re investing in its future. Maintenance is more affordable (and less of a headache) than replacing your garage door or its various parts.

As always, if you have any questions about the lubrication process and/or general maintenance, let us help! We understand that you have a long to-do list—and, especially in the summer, would probably rather spend time with family. Let your extended family here at Whitaker’s make life easier for you. After all, no job is too big or too small- just give us a call!