Things to Consider When Choosing a Garage Door Lubricant

Do you know that garage door lubrication is a vital - yet simple - part of garage door repair?

We offer this service when in need, but it's a bit of a mystery to our clients. So we decided to make a guide to help you better understand the process.

By the end of reading this, you will know everything you need to know about garage door lubrication!

Garage Door Lubrication in a Nutshell

Garage door lubrication is when you apply lubricant to the door of your garage. It reduces the friction between the metal parts that help open and close your garage door, as well as limiting unwanted noise.

We always include lubrication in our Broomfield garage door repairs because it is one of the most important steps to keeping your door operating smoothly.

You should lubricate your door every half a year at least. Rollers can be lubricated once each three months, while tracks can go a year without lubrication.

Garage door lubricant makes sure all of the moving parts of your garage door are working correctly. Because so much stress is put on the door and its parts, lubricant helps everything from breaking down and helps the door open and close properly.

The main perks of garage door lubrication include:

• Smoother movement
• More flexible hinges
• Quieter operation
• Prevention of rust

What is Garage Door Lubricant?

Different lubricants are used for different situations. For example, some lubricants are used in areas where it gets really cold, because the weather can stop the joints from functioning. Other lubricants aid heavy use and reduce how much noise the door makes when it opens and closes.

When you utilize our garage door sales, be sure to buy lubricant with your purchase so you can upkeep your door.

Where Does the Garage Door Get Lubricated?

There are many different moving parts on garage doors. It is important to know how to lubricate your door to keep it operating at peak performance. Simply put, the areas to lubricate are the connections, joints, and metal parts.

Let's go into a little more depth so you have a better grasp on where to lubricate the door.

Torsion springs. These are used to pull up the door. Unlubricated torsion springs can lead to stuck garage doors.

Rollers and ball bearings. You need to "grease" your ball bearings and metal rollers to keep them moving. If you don't grease them, the door can jam up or snag when you open and close it. Not only does this get in the way of a smooth door, but it's also dangerous.

Hinges and pivot points. Hinges and pivot points carry the tension of garage doors. Each individual hinge and pivot point needs to be lubricated for the door to operate smoothly.

End bearing plates. End bearing plates support the weight of the door while it's in use. That's quite the task! Lubricating these plates is vital to keep your door in proper order.

Lubricating Base

When you think about lubricants, you probably think about grease or oil. While you're onto something, there are two specific kinds of lubricants used for garage door repair.

Lithium Grease

There are a lot of different lithium-based products, but white lithium grease is the industry standard. It applies easily and sticks to the surface without being absorbed by the metal, effectively reducing friction.

Lithium grease won't last as long as other options since it gets worn down every time the door opens or closes.

If you want to maintain the quality of your garage door, this is the option of choice, even though you will have to apply it more frequently. It's your best bet when you have a door that's high-friction and sees a lot of use.

It is weather-resistant but not quite waterproof, so lithium grease might not be right for you if you live somewhere with a lot of inclement weather.

Silicone

Your second option is silicone. It's great for reaching into cramped spaces like the ball bearings or torsion springs. Grease has trouble reaching these parts of the garage door.

Silicone is best used in accompaniment to grease because it doesn't provide as much friction resistance, but can reach places that lithium grease can't. It also has a longer life and is resistant to temperature and moisture.

Because of this, silicone is great if you live in an extreme climate.

Foam

Garage door lubricant comes in many different forms, each of them specifically designed for different purposes.

Sprays and greases are the most common, although there are also foams, oils, and more.

Sprays are designed for internal parts like the springs and are absorbed by the material. Meanwhile, greases stay on the outside of the material and work like a buffer to reduce friction.

Hire Our Garage Door Repair Team

If you've ever had to google "garage door installers near me in Broomfield", look no further.

When you need a new garage door, we will help you navigate your overwhelming garage door sale options. All of our garage doors are American made and we guarantee that you'll be ecstatic with your new overhead door.

We can fix broken garage door springs and lubricate your garage door when it won't open or close, among a myriad of other services.

We have over 25 years of experience servicing garage doors in the greater Denver metro area. Our trucks are always completely stocked and ready to go on the fly.

Contact our Broomfield garage door repair pros anytime for a better garage door!