Garage door maintenance

[shinnen]

Lately, my wife has been saying that the garage door is getting slower. I haven't noticed any difference; but is there any maintenance I should be performing? It's about 5 years old.
Thanks,
....... john

 

[nbpt100]

I know there is a spray lube you can buy that is made specifically for garage doors. Available at most any home center. I would make sure the rollers are lubed and can move with out any undo resistance.

 

[nadogail]

WD-40 has a product for that. Garage Door Spray.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would start by disconnecting the opener and see how the door opens manually. if it's stiff or tight. maybe the opener is getting slower.
but yes, there should also be occasional door maintenance too.

 

[Innovate1]

I would start by disconnecting the opener and see how the door opens manually. if it's stiff or tight. maybe the opener is getting slower.
but yes, there should also be occasional door maintenance too.

This^. The door should be balanced - if you position the bottom about 4 feet off the ground it shouldn't go up or down. After 5 years the springs are probably relaxing a little so may need a little tightening to get the balance. And it should move smoothly without binding. A little lube may be all that is needed if it is stiff/binding.

 

[duneslider]

I give my tracks, wheels, springs, etc a spray of door lube or white lithium a few times a year. It for sure makes them quieter which means it is helping something.

 

[HenryAZ]

When our local long-time (25 years +) was here to replace a broken torsion spring, I asked him about maintenance. He said the rollers should be lubed once a year, and the torsion springs, "you cannot do it often enough". I use a syringe with 30w oil to get into the rollers (just a drop on each), and silicone spray on the springs. He showed me how to pull back the "shield" behind the roller wheel, and to lube there.

 

[shinnen]

I oiled the rollers, hopin g that would be all it needs, but it's stil creaking, like a door that needs oiling. Any ideas as to what that might be? Above, people have told me what other parts to lubricate, but I'm not sure what they are.
.... john

 

[kwb]

Lube the hinges in the field and the springs along with the rollers.

I just did mine in my shop yesterday and it was dramatically quieter once I lubed all the moving parts.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Go to YOUTUBE and look up the channel for DDM Garage Doors. He has put out a bunch of great videos that helped me a lot on maintenance, spring replacements, and opener installation. The guy explains things well.

 

[Dig Doug]

Have a garage door company out and do a service on it !

make sure you are home and watch / ask what he’s doing so you can do it in the future.

you might have a bad / tired / sagging spring or resistance on the rollers, opener might have an issue

get a pro out, ask the questions so your educated !

if your wife is like mine… it would take a lot for her to notice a difference and something major could be worn out.

Note - worst case the spring pops and door comes down ( and she isn’t in the way ) she isn’t opening it by herself, so if she works or has duties to perform daily that could be delayed if she can’t get her car out