How To Clean Screw-drive Garage Door Opener

Download Article

An improperly maintained garage door can cause information technology to become loud and squeaky. More chiefly, a noisy door is a sign that your garage door isn't greased plenty, which could lead to more than serious impairment subsequently. Luckily, with proper maintenance and lubrication, you tin forestall the noise and extend the life of your garage door.^[1]

1

Shut the garage door. Use the remote or close the door manually. This volition permit you to access the tracks and the rest of the moving parts on your door.
2
Cut power to the door. Before lubricating your door, you'll want to make sure that information technology's non on. Disconnect your garage door from the ability source afterwards you shut it.^[2]
- If the plug to your garage door opener is hard to attain or difficult-wired, plow off the breaker that controls it in your circuit box.
Advertisement
three
Clean out the tracks with a damp rag. The tracks are what the garage door rollers ride on to open and close. Y'all don't want to lubricate these, but yous do want to make sure that they are completely cleaned out for your door to operate correctly. Wipe down the inside of both tracks and remove any dirt and debris.^[3]
- Brand sure that there is no debris left in your tracks that the rollers can become stuck on.
- Utilize an automotive brake cleaner to loosen and launder away crud.
four

Vacuum out dirt and grit from your tracks. If you are having problems getting droppings out of the tracks, you can apply a vacuum with a hose extension to suck out the clay and debris. This is a neat solution to achieve the higher portion of the tracks that you may be having issues reaching.^[4]

Advertisement

1
Purchase a lithium-based grease or garage door lube. Popular standard degreasers like WD-twoscore aren't the best selection for a garage door.^[5] Instead, purchase a lithium-based grease at a hardware store or online.^[6] There are also certain greases that are made specifically for garage doors. Practice not use oil.^[seven]
- Garage door grease will typically come in an aerosol or spray tin.
- Oil is susceptible to clay and dust buildup and is more than likely to drip than garage door grease or lube. Read the characterization to brand certain that the grease that yous are using is appropriate for your doors.
two

Open your door and spray the lubricant on each of the hinges. Slowly elevator your garage door up manually and spray each swivel as information technology meets the curve of the track. This will lubricate the moving parts on the door and will make opening and closing the garage door much smoother. Use one or two sprays on each hinge. Your hinges should exist covered in lubricant.^[viii]
3
Lubricate the rollers. ^[9] The rollers are the circular moving pieces on your garage door and are attached to each of your hinges. Inside of these rollers are pocket-sized ball bearings that need to exist lubricated for your door to open up and close smoothly.^[10] Apply the thin hose attachment to spray the grease within of the rollers. Wipe out whatsoever backlog lubricant so your door doesn't become unbalanced.
- Whatsoever exposed ball bearings must be thoroughly lubricated.
- Don't spray any lubricant on nylon rollers.
4
Spray the exterior of your springs and begetting plates. The springs can usually exist found at the height of the garage door and must be fully lubricated besides.^[11] The begetting plates are the moving round parts on both sides of the springs. Spray down the outside of the springs and nearly the center of the bearing plates, then open and shut your garage door to spread the grease effectually.^[12]
- You will near likely demand a step ladder to achieve the springs and bearing plates.
- If your springs are making noises, y'all need to grease your springs.
- If your springs are damaged or aptitude, have them replaced before moving on.
5

Spray the lock and armbar. Lubricating the lock will make locking your garage door easier, and tin prevent rust in the long run. Point the lubricant towards the lock's keyhole and spray information technology once to lubricate information technology. Once you're done lubricating the lock, finish lubricating your garage door by spraying the grease on the large armbar at the top of your door.^[13]
six
Lubricate the top of the runway. The track is the portion that your chain rides on and should run forth your garage's ceiling. The meridian portion of the runway is what your chain actually rides along, so it'south the office that needs to be lubricated.^[xiv] Spray downwards the top of the rail and then spread the grease around with a rag.^[15]
- The chain comes with a natural protectant on it that makes information technology so that you lot don't have to grease it regularly.
- Spraying the lesser of the rail doesn't practice anything.
- Consult the possessor's manual to see how to lubricate and maintain your specific garage door opener.
Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

What should I practice to ensure that the garage door works properly?

Patrick Johns is a Abode Comeback Specialist and the Possessor of CatchAll Handyman Services. With more than 28 years of experience, he has worked on a variety of home improvement projects, such as carpentry, plumbing, and door and window installations in both commercial and residential properties.

Home Improvement Specialist

Adept Respond

Lubricate the parts from fourth dimension to time to ensure that the garage door works properly. It will besides preclude them from rusting.
Question

Why is WD-40 not suitable for a garage door?

Patrick Johns is a Abode Improvement Specialist and the Owner of CatchAll Handyman Services. With more 28 years of experience, he has worked on a variety of home improvement projects, such as carpentry, plumbing, and door and window installations in both commercial and residential properties.

Dwelling house Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

WD-40 is not suitable for a garage door because information technology can attract moisture, corrode, and crusade working mechanisms to interruption.
Question

Should I oil my garage door rollers?

Barry Zakar is a professional person handyman and the founder of Piddling Red Truck Abode Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of feel, Barry specializes in a diverseness of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry as well holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

No, do not use oil on your garage doors. Instead, employ grease or silicone spray, which is available at any hardware or domicile improvement store.

Enquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

If your garage door is not working properly, you can replace it and install a new door.
If lubricating the rollers doesn't work, consider replacing them with nylon or plastic rollers.^[xvi]
Be mindful of the blackness boxes at the bottom of your garage door. If you accidentally move i of them, the invisible axle volition exist obstructed and the garage door won't close.

Things Y'all'll Need

Lithium based or garage door grease
Rag
Step ladder

Nigh This Article

Commodity Summary X

To lubricate a garage door, first close information technology and disconnect the power by turning off the switch or circuit breaker. Then, clean the garage door tracks with a clammy rag to get rid of any dirt and debris. In one case your door is make clean, spray a lithium-based grease or garage door lube onto the hinges and rollers. Avert using WD40 or oil, since these aren't as effective. One time you've lubricated the hinges and rollers, spray the springs and bearing plates, which can usually be plant at the summit of your door. Later on that, spray the lock and armbar to make unlocking your door easier. To finish lubricating your garage door, spray the top of the rail, which commonly runs from your door to the garage ceiling. For more tips, including how to make clean tight spaces in your garage door with a vacuum, read on!

Did this summary assistance you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 334,061 times.