TF Draper is dedicated to helping people get the most out of their garage doors in and around Portland, the state of Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our customers frequently ask us two questions:
- How often do I need garage door part lubrication in Portland?
- What parts of the garage door — rollers, hinges and tracks — should be lubricated on Portland garage door systems?
What Parts Need Lubrication?
First, ask yourself the reasons you need garage door lubrication. Portland garage door owners may find their door is opening or closely way too loudly, which is often the primary reason they consider lubricating their door. While this is a good sign your door needs to be lubricated, regular lubrication is important to keep your door running smoothly and extend the life of your garage door system, even if you are comfortable with the speed of your door or the amount of noise it is making.
You should essentially be looking to lubricate any moving parts in your garage door system. While your garage door tracks are an important part of your garage door system, you don’t need to lubricate them directly. Just make sure they are clean and clear of debris by wiping them down with a wet rag or sponge. The parts you will be lubricating include:
- Torsion Springs: Your garage door is heavily dependent upon these two springs at the top of your garage door. It’s very important to properly lubricate them.
- Rollers: The rollers allow your garage door to roll up and down the track to lower or retract when pulled by the action of the torsion springs. Make sure to lubricate the rollers liberally, but not excessively. If your garage door has been excessively loud, you may want to consider replacing the rollers with quieter nylon wheels. If you have nylon wheels, try to lubricate just the bearings and not the wheels themselves.
- Hinges: These connect the door sections together and allow the door to bend as it retracts. You’ll find them on the inside of the door.
- Bearing Brackets: You’ll find these at the ends of the pole the torsion springs are attached to.
- Garage Door Opener: People often neglect the garage door opener when lubricating — however, if you have a screw drive or chain drive garage door opener, you’ll want to lubricate the screw or chain, as well.
How to Lubricate
Lubricate all your parts with a lubricating spray, but not just any spray — for example, an oil-based spray like WD-40 will ruin the grease on your parts and actually hurt your garage door system in the long run. Choose a lithium grease spray or silicone spray instead. Your garage door professional can help you choose the best option.
When to Lubricate
You should lubricate your garage door parts no less than once or twice a year. An effective way to make sure your garage door gets the necessary lubrication is to schedule annual or semi-annual professional maintenance.
If you lubricate your own door and feel like you have the hang of it, it doesn’t hurt to check the condition of your garage door system’s lubrication every month or so and touch it up when you feel it’s necessary.
Annual Garage Door Maintenance
If you’re in need of garage door lubrication services in Portland or surrounding areas, consider TF Draper’s annual garage door maintenance plan. Annual maintenance is the best way to identify possible garage door issues before they turn into extensive repairs and take steps to extend the life of your garage door.
When you call TF Draper for annual garage door maintenance, we will not only fully lubricate all parts that need it, but we will also inspect your system for any signs of worn-out parts that need to be replaced. We have plenty of brand-new parts on hand, as well as the technical know-how to expertly install them, so outfitting your door with the parts it needs is not a problem.
By scheduling annual maintenance, you’ll enjoy knowing if there are any troublesome problems lurking in your garage door system, we’ll find and fix them before they become a major headache. If a torsion spring is about to break, or if your door is improperly aligned and putting undue stress on the system, we’ll take care of it before you know the problem exists.
To schedule professional garage door maintenance or learn more about our services, contact TF Draper online, or call us at (503) 357-1103.