A simple step-by-step guide to lubricating your garage doors

Are you experiencing squeaking, screeching and banging noises anytime you operate your garage doors? If you need to cover your ears any time you open or close your garage, you have a poorly lubricated system.

The constant noises are caused by your tracks, hinges and rollers all grinding against each other and producing unpleasant sounds in the process. And the noise is not the only thing you need to worry about. Friction from non-lubricated moving parts tends to wear out your garage door system and result in frequent maintenance.

To save your ears from suffering through loud noises (and your wallet from paying for costly maintenance), you should lubricate your garage doors on a regular basis. If you've never done it before, here is a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started.

1. Find the right lubricant

The most important step is to find the right lubricant to use. Your garage doors require a different lubricant from many other parts of the home. You need a lubricant that creates a smooth surface on your moving parts, as opposed to many other household lubricants that are used to remove rust and grease from various surfaces.

As a result, avoid using sprays such as WD-40 or other similar degreasing agents. Instead, opt for silicone-based sprays or aerosol sprays that can help the metal parts on you doors move smoothly.

2. Start with cleaning the doors and tracks to remove debris

Before you begin spraying away, you should ensure that your garage doors are clean. Dirt and debris that accumulates on your tracks, hinges and springs can equally cause loud and unpleasant noises when opening/closing the doors.

Make sure you spray down (with a water hose) your tracks and the tough to reach corners of your garage doors to remove all foreign items.

3. Next are the springs and hinges

After the tracks and doors are clean, you can now proceed to use your lubricant. Gently spray the springs and hinges of your garage doors with a gentle coating of lubricant (don't spray the tracks). Don't use too much lubricant as you may wear down the springs and hinges over time.

5. Finish with the rollers and locks

Your rollers and locks may also need to be lubricated if their surfaces are dry. Gently spray a layer of lubricant on your rollers without getting too much on the actual tracks of your garage doors. Make sure you get enough lubricant on all the hidden corners of your rollers.

Finally, spray some lubricant in the keyhole to prevent your keys from getting stuck when you unlock the garage door.