Lubricate and service garage door

Why It Matters

Dry rollers, hinges, and springs wear out fast and run loud. Annual lubrication doubles the life of moving parts.

Tools

• Rag

Materials

• Garage-door-specific lithium or silicone lubricant spray

How to Do It

1. Open and close the door once to identify which parts move: rollers, hinges, springs, and the chain or screw drive.
2. Spray lubricant on each roller, coating the ball bearings inside the wheel.
3. Apply lubricant to each hinge, focusing on the pivot points where metal meets metal.
4. Spray the torsion or extension springs along their full length.
5. Lubricate the chain or screw drive according to its type. A chain drive gets lubricant along the chain links; a screw drive gets lubricant along the screw shaft.
6. Leave the track unlubricated. Lubricant on the track causes the rollers to slip and can prevent the door from operating safely.
7. Open and close the door two or three times to work the lubricant into the moving parts, then wipe any excess from surfaces where drips could stain the floor or vehicle.

Related Tasks

• Replace garage door bottom seal Every 3 years
• Test garage door auto-reverse safety Twice a year
• Clean garage interior Once a year