[Last Updated:] January 17, 2025

Is your garage door a little noisier than it used to be, or is it opening and closing more slowly than it did in the past? It could mean it needs to be lubricated. All garage doors need lubrication, even wood garage doors. When there is less resistance in your door’s movement, it puts less of a strain on its parts, which help extend the life of your system.

Learning how to lubricate garage doors is relatively simple, but it’s one of those maintenance tasks that's best done by professionals who have the skills and experience to do the job quickly and effectively. With a little care and garage door maintenance, your door can easily last for a decade or more.

Find out how Precision Garage Door Service® professionals lubricate your door, the types of lubricants they use, and the supplies necessary to keep your door running smoothly and quietly.

Before a professional lubricates your door, it’s a good idea to clean your garage, especially where the service professionals will be working. Sweep up any dust, dirt, and leaves that have accumulated near the door and the sensors, and move any objects away from the tracks and out from under the motor. This will enable them to access your door’s moving parts.

When the service professional arrives to perform the service, they will first begin by closing the garage door. If the door is stuck open, they will carefully close the door manually or with the help of special tools.

To avoid electrical issues or injury, the service professional will disconnect or turn off your garage door’s power source. This might mean unhooking your opener or flipping the breaker that supplies power to the garage.

By taking these safety precautions, they are reducing the likelihood of electrocution and injury caused by moving parts.

Using a clean cloth and a pair of gloves, the service professional will wipe the metal track from one end to the other. They may also use a vacuum to remove any loose dirt or dust that could cause your garage door system to wear down faster. It also helps ensure that your door’s rollers won’t stick to the track.

A pro knows exactly where to lubricate garage doors and will check that all of the components are in good working order.

The service professional will then use a special garage door lubricant to grease your door. They will wipe away any excess lubricant as they go to avoid dripping or spillage.

It’s important to note that lubricant is not added to the track itself. Instead, lubricant is applied to each moving part of your garage door, including:

• Hinges: Lubricant is added to the hinges, particularly at the point where they bend.
• Rollers: Rollers are the circle-shaped pieces located next to your door’s hinges that sit in the door track. The narrow hose attachment on the spray bottle of lubricant is used to reach small spheres inside of the rollers as well.
• Springs and bearing plates: After climbing a ladder, the professional will apply lubricant to your door’s springs and the bearing plates located on each side of the springs.
• Lock: By aiming the spray bottle at the keyhole, the service professional will lubricate the lock.
• Top of the rail and armbar: The service professional will then grease the top rail (the bar situated about 6-8 inches vertically below the ceiling) and the armbar (the piece that connects the garage door to the top rail).

As they apply lubricant, the service professional will examine the different parts of your garage door to look for any broken or damaged components. If necessary, they’ll recommend replacements or repairs, especially for the components most likely to break, such as the garage door springs.

If your garage door is noisy or if it's been a while since your last garage door inspection or maintenance appointment, it may be time to lubricate your door. Here are a few more signs that it’s time to call a professional to inspect and lubricate your garage door:

• Strange noises: Grinding, high-pitched squeaking or metal-on-metal grating sounds are signs that moving parts need to be lubricated.
• Door doesn’t work smoothly: If your garage door shakes as it opens or closes or moves in a jerking fashion, lubrication could be the solution.
• It's been a long time since last maintenance: Most experts recommend having your garage door lubricated every six months. If it has been longer than that, call a service professional for help.
• It’s getting cold outside: Metal contracts and expands in cold weather. If not lubricated properly, it could create noise or put stress on the door.

Not all lubricants are the same. Because garage doors work consistently, they need lubricants that are designed to handle frequent use, metal-on-metal contact, and both small and large components. A mix of liquid lubricants and garage door grease will ensure all components are protected.

Some household lubricants, such as WD-40, should never be used on your garage door because they attract dirt and moisture, both of which can damage the components of your door. Here are a few types of lubricants that are safe for use on garage doors:

Without the right supplies, you could end up damaging your door. Garage door professionals will have everything they need to lubricate and repair your garage door with them. Here are some of the supplies they will likely use:

• Garage door lubricant: The professionals will use lubricant made specifically for lubricating a garage door. Any other type of lubricant can attract debris and cause more wear and tear on a garage door.
• Clean cloth: Service professionals will wipe off your garage door track before lubricating it.
• Vacuum hose or handheld vacuum: A vacuum allows service professionals to remove dust or debris that may have accumulated on the garage door track.
• Ladder: In order to lubricate the springs on a garage door, service professionals will likely use a small ladder or step stool to reach them.

Now that you know the signs to look for and how to lubricate a garage door, does your garage door need lubrication? Let the professionals at Precision Garage Door Service help. We will lubricate your garage door as part of our garage door tune-up service. We’ll also check your door for rust and other problems to make sure there are no underlying issues with its parts. To get started, give us a call or find the Precision Garage Door Service location nearest you.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property. Precision Garage Door Service is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Precision Garage Door Service location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.

As a garage door service, repair, and installation leader renowned for integrity and dependability, all independently owned and operated Precision Garage Door Service locations are committed to safety, quality workmanship, and your satisfaction. This commitment includes using our expertise and years of experience to answer your garage door-related questions.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on how to lubricate a garage door.