As a homeowner, it’s no secret that you rely on your garage door opener to function whenever you need access to your garage. Unfortunately, issues can arise with this area of your home. To ensure a quiet and smooth transition from an open to a closed garage door, you should regularly lubricate your garage door chain. A garage door professional can take care of this task as part of a routine maintenance appointment, or you can do it yourself. This article explores the benefits of lubricating your garage door chain, how often this should be done, and the appropriate steps to follow.
The Importance of Regular Garage Door Chain Lubrication
To fully understand why it’s essential to lubricate your garage door chain regularly, let’s look at some of the benefits of this process.
Smooth Transition from Open to Closed
A garage door chain that requires lubrication can be very loud and experience some resistance, causing it to rattle during the transition from open to closed. Instead of tolerating a shaking and rattling garage door, you can lubricate the chain to maintain smooth movement.
Prevent Chain Malfunction
Have you ever pressed the button for your garage door to open or close, and nothing happened? A malfunctioning chain can be the cause, including a broken or jammed chain. A dry chain that requires lubrication is more likely to snap, making it necessary to call a professional to replace the chain. This is far more time-consuming and expensive than quick lubrication.
Frequency of Garage Door Chain Lubrication
Lubricate your garage door chain at least twice a year. The frequency may increase depending on how often you open and close your garage door. Living near the beach or in another harsh environment can put a lot of wear and tear on the chain because of exposure to different materials like sand and high humidity. Some homeowners lubricate their garage door chains every couple of months. Ideally, you want to keep up with this maintenance rather than wait for your garage door to sound noisy or rattle.
Tips for Lubricating Your Garage Door Chain
Avoid using an excessively greasy or oily product when lubricating your garage door chain. This type of product tends to attract a lot of dust and particulates to the chain, which can accumulate in all the cracks and crevices of the chain and make it more prone to breaking. If you apply too much product, you can wipe the excess off. Avoid spraying lubricant on other areas of your garage door, such as the rollers or garage door openers.
Steps for Lubricating Your Garage Door Chain
Here are the steps to follow when lubricating your garage door chain:
- Ensure your garage door is entirely closed, and unplug the door opener from its power outlet. When lubricating the chain, it’s essential to avoid having the door move.
- Use an old rag to remove dirt, residue, or grease from the garage door chain. You can also use a vacuum to remove any debris that has accumulated.
- Apply a product explicitly designed for lubricating a garage door chain. These products are generally silicone-based for longevity and durability. You can also use WD-40 in a pinch. Spray the top, bottom, and sides of your chain lightly.
- Plug your garage door opener back into the power outlet. Open and close your garage door a few times to evenly distribute the lubricant. You may need to repeat the process if the chain is shaky or loud.
Other Related Maintenance
Besides lubricating your garage door chain, other related maintenance tasks must be completed simultaneously.
Inspect the Rollers
A thorough inspection of your garage door rollers will determine whether a repair or replacement needs to be done. You want to ensure the roller doesn’t shift or wiggle when touching it. You can lubricate your rollers with lithium- or silicone-based grease for optimal protection.
Inspect the Hinges
Check your garage door hinges to make sure the attached hardware is secure. You also want to inspect for rust or signs of wear and tear. Hinges can be quickly replaced, if need be, which helps secure your garage door and protect its longevity. Hinges can also be lubricated if they are squeaking when in motion.
Tighten Your Garage Door Chain
Your garage door chain can have a little bit of a sag, but it shouldn’t come anywhere near your garage door. You also want to prevent the chain from being tightened too much, which increases the chance of the chain snapping. If you need to pull the chain, loosen the nut closest to the garage door. The chain should drop slightly. Loosening the inner nut at this point will allow you to tighten the chain using the outer nut. Make sure both are secure when you are finished.
Listen for Odd Noises
Aside from visually inspecting your garage door chain and lubricating it, there are other issues to listen for. The sound of your garage door chain hitting your garage door indicates that the chain needs to be tightened. A vibrating sound may mean that the bolts holding the chain in place are loose or damaged. Many people mistake roller issues for a damaged chain, so look closely at both of these areas if there are odd noises when your door is in motion.
If you regularly lubricate your garage door chain and still experience issues with your garage door, you may need to seek the attention of a garage door professional. Contact Precision Overhead Garage Door Service to schedule a garage door maintenance or repair appointment. In addition to emergency repairs and services, Precision Overhead Garage Door Service will address residential and commercial garage door maintenance, spring repair, and total garage door replacement.