A Guide to Garage Door Lubrication

Garage doors are easy to take for granted until they start squeaking, grinding or getting stuck. The good news is that a little upkeep can go a long way. One of the best ways to keep things working the way they should is regular lubrication. It’s quick, it’s simple and it can help prevent bigger problems down the line.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to lubricate a garage door, which parts need it, how often to do it and when it might be time to bring in a pro. And if you ever want to talk it through in person, our showroom is always open.

Why Garage Door Lubrication Maintenance Matters

Garage doors are built to last, but they have many moving parts. Over time, things like hinges, rollers and springs start to wear down. Lubrication helps reduce that friction, so your door operates more quietly and doesn’t strain your opener. It also helps prevent rust and keeps everything running efficiently.

Regular lubrication can:

• Cut down on noise, like loud squeaks and thumps.
• Keep your opener from working harder than it needs to.
• Help parts last longer.
• Give you an early opportunity to catch wear or damage.

How to Lubricate Garage Door Springs and Other Parts

It’s best to leave garage door lubrication to professionals who have the products, tools and experience to do it right. The steps include:

1. Picking the right lubricant: A silicone-based or lithium-based spray, like a white lithium grease, is best. WD-40 is more of a moisture inhibitor and a degreaser, so it goes against the point of lubrication. 
2. Starting with a clean door: It’s important to wipe down rollers, hinges and tracks with a dry cloth to remove dust and debris. 
3. Applying the lubricant: The next step is spraying key components, like the rail, hinge pivot points, springs, bearing plates, rollers, pins, pulley disc and mid-hinges — but not the track, since lubrication there could cause slippage. 
4. Opening and closing the door: Opening and closing the door a few times spreads the lubricant around evenly.
5. Wiping up the excess: The final step is to wipe off the excess from most parts with a paper towel or rag. It’s best not to wipe the rail and the springs, where the lubricant needs time to penetrate effectively. 

How Often to Lubricate Garage Door Parts

We get this question a lot. For most people, twice a year is perfect — once in the spring and once before winter. If your garage door gets a lot of use or if you live in a damp or salty climate, you might want to do it every two to three months instead.

When to Call in a Professional

If you’ve kept up with lubrication but your garage door still isn’t moving as it should — or it’s making unusual noises — it’s time to get it looked at by a professional. Sometimes the problem isn’t friction. It could be worn-out springs, a misaligned track or an issue with the opener.

Olympic Garage Door offers full-service repair and maintenance for residential and commercial garage doors. We never sub out our work. Everything’s done by our own trained, licensed and insured technicians who know our products inside and out. 

What Sets Olympic Garage Door Apart?

We do things a little differently at Olympic Garage Door. Our goal isn’t to just fix your garage door. We want you to feel confident about how it works, how it looks and who’s working on it.

Other factors that set us apart include:

• Real people offering real support: Our professional showroom is open and fully staffed, so you can come in, ask questions and see your options up close.
• The brands we stand behind: We carry Clopay^® and LiftMaster products that are dependable and long-lasting. 
• Site visits beforehand: Before we start a project, we’ll visit your home or business to get a clear understanding of the space and what you need.
• Everything under one roof: We handle garage door and opener sales, installation, service, repairs and parts all in one place.

Come Visit or Reach Out

Let us know how we can help! You can visit the showroom, give us a call or schedule an appointment at your home or business.

From garage door lubrication maintenance to full replacements and opener upgrades, Olympic Garage Door offers honest advice, expert work and high-quality products. Let us know how we can help!