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Garage doors do a lot of heavy lifting on a day-to-day basis, which means that they will eventually need maintenance and repairs to stay in full working condition. How do you know when your garage door needs a repair service? One of the telltale signs is that it takes longer to open and close. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why your garage door opener is slow and how to fix a slow garage door.
How long should it normally take for a garage door to open and close? The average is between 12 to 15 seconds. Most garage doors will be able to fully complete opening and closing cycles within that range. If you find that your garage door is taking closer to 20 seconds (or longer) to open or close, it’s time to get the door checked.
The most common slow opening garage door fix is lubrication. Without proper lubrication, your garage door’s many parts have to work overtime during opening and closing cycles, which makes those processes take longer than normal.
Also, as your garage door is used day-in and day-out, over time, pulleys can also become worn and springs can lose tension — which also slows down operating speed. If you’re wondering how to fix a slow garage door, start by lubricating all tracks, brackets and hinges.
Once you’ve fully lubricated those parts, test the door to see if it’s moving faster. Some garage door models have speed setting controls. If your door has these controls, make sure they haven’t been adjusted in a way that noticeably slows your garage door.
HOW TO PROPERLY LUBRICATE YOUR GARAGE DOOR
Since the screws, springs, hinges, and tracks are all made of metal, they need to stay lubricated. Knowing how to lubricate a garage door will help increase its longevity and give your ears a break. The proper way to lubricate your garage door starts with using the right solution.
We recommend using a non-silicone lubricant such as LPS 2. Always avoid spraying WD-40 on any part of your garage door. People often mistake this product, which contains anti-rust and degreasing properties, with a lubricant because the bottle states it helps parts move more smoothly. But WD-40 is a cleaning solvent, not a lubricant. It’s also important to avoid using grease at all costs. Grease will create a stickiness that’s hard to clean, so it can lead to a faster buildup of damaging debris.
Many parts of a garage door require frequent lubrication for smooth opening and closing operation, which should be part of your self-designed garage door preventive maintenance. Before lubricating, be sure to clean all parts with a dry cloth to remove any dust or debris. As you begin the lubrication process, use another dry cloth to clean as you go, avoiding excessive dripping on the garage floor. Once you’re all set, you can begin to lubricate the following parts:
Hinges
Lubricate the hinges at their pivot points. Only do this for metal hinges, though. Avoid applying anything to plastic parts. Some lubricants can cause the plastic to break down over time.
Rollers
Metal rollers are how your garage door travels up and down. If your rollers feature nylon wheels, be sure to lubricate the rollers without getting any lubricant on the nylon material. While metal rollers require less precision, it’s a good idea to protect your floor and your car from any drips along the way.
Springs
Locate the torsion springs that lift and lower your garage door. This is one of the most important parts of a garage door to lubricate because lubricating the springs can increase their efficiency as well as their lifespan. Apply just enough to make them move better.
It’s crucial that you do not apply any solution to the bearings or tracks of your door. You can clean them to ensure they are functioning at their best, but lubricant will not help these parts perform better.
If neither lubrication nor speed control settings fix the problem, it’s time to call a professional. A professional garage door service provider can check your door’s pulleys and springs to see if there’s a more complex issue that needs repair. It’s never a good idea for a homeowner to get into these more intensive maintenance and repair tasks.
Garage doors operate under a massive amount of tension, and it requires specialized knowledge and expertise to safely and effectively provide maintenance and repairs.
If you’re in the market for a new garage door, Next Day Garage Door is here to help. We have a wide variety of different style garage doors to choose from and would be happy to help answer any questions you have about them.
Next Day Garage Door prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your garage door installation and repair needs and will do whatever it takes to earn your business and remain lifelong clients. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call us at (571)-327-6285 or (301)-500-0475 today.
