For your garage door cables to work properly and safely, maintenance is needed. This step is important and often skipped, but proper lubrication ensures optimal operation of the cables and other moving parts, minimizes wear and tear, and contributes to prolonging the lifespan of your garage door system.
Step-by-step directions for lubricating garage door cables for best performance.
Lubrication of Garage Door Cables: A Necessity
Before we get into the how, it’s important to get into the why. Garage door cables are significant components that cooperated with spring to lift and lower your garage door. These cables can wear down and fail over time due to friction and tension. This reduces friction, eliminates any chance of rust and keeps it working smoothly.
Tools and Materials Needed
Garage door grease: Utilize a quality grease from a reputable manufacturer. Do not use WD-40 or similar multipurpose lubes — they will just attract dirt and grime.
Clean rag or cloth: For cleaning the cables before applying lubricant
Step ladder: To help reach higher places safely.
Step-by-Step Guide
Safety First:
- Keep your garage door closed without power to the automatic opener to prevent unintentional activation.
- Always wear safety gloves and goggles to protect your body from the debris or sharp edges.
Clean the Cables:
Using a clean cloth or towel, wipe the cables down to remove dust, debris, or buildup of old lubricant. This is crucial for proper adherence of the new lubricant to the cables.
Inspect the Cables:
Before lubricating, look over the cables for signs of wear, fraying or damage. If you do notice any major issues, seek professional repair or ana activity.
Apply the Lubricant:
Be sure to shake the lubricant well before use.
Working from the top down spray copious amounts of lubricant onto the cables making sure to cover everything evenly. Be thorough ever but do not overdo it so it does not leads to dripping and buildup.
Continue to work your way down the cable, making sure that the entirety of cable that runs through the inner lining is well lubricated.
Lubricate Other Moving Parts:
This is also a good time to lubricate the rollers, hinges and springs and other moving parts of the garage door system. This thorough lubrication provides for overall high-performance.
Operate the Door:
- Reattach the garage door opener.
- Open and close the garage door a few times to spread the lubricant over all of the cables and mechanisms.
Final Check:
Exercise the door a few times, then do a final sweep to ensures all goes up and down smoothly and quietly. Wipe away excess lubricant to avoid attracting dirt and grime.
Maintenance Tips
Regular Lubrication: Give your garage door cables and other moving parts a good grease job at least twice per year. Doing so could save you big bucks down the road and avoid bigger problems.
Visual Inspections: Regularly inspect your garage door cables for any signs of wear or damage. In case of any issue, the earlier you detect the problem, the lesser it will become a potential hazard and the more you will be able to prolong the life of your garage door system.
Professional Service: If you’re unsure whether or not to perform maintenance yourself or notice major problems, you can always call a professional garage door service such as York Garage Door Guys. Long-term regular professional inspections can ensure your system working in tip-top shape giving you peace of mind.
One important task is to lubricate your garage door cables regularly so that they can be well-maintained and function properly. Following these tips, along with making regular maintenance a part of your daily routine, can extend the life of your garage door system and help you avoid wasting time on unnecessary repairs. Call York Garage Door Guys today, your local pros for more garage door care ideas!
