Garage doors slide along a track on the ceiling of the Garage. This design allows for more space in front of and inside the garage, making it a great option for those with limited driveway space or for those who use their garage for more than just parking their cars.

However, like any mechanical device, sliding garage doors require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to function properly and safely.

In this article, we will discuss the various ways to maintain side hinged garage doors to keep them in top working condition.

To keep the tracks clean

The tracks are the guide that the door runs on and any debris or dust that accumulates on them can cause the door to stick or not move smoothly. To clean the tracks, use a clean, dry cloth or a small brush to remove any dirt or debris. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck up any dust or debris that may be hard to reach.

To lubricate the hinges

Lubrication helps to reduce friction and prevents the door from sticking. A good lubricant to use is silicone spray. It is important to apply the lubricant to the tracks and rollers, making sure to cover all the moving parts.

If your swing gates begin to creak, you need to lubricate the hinges.

You can remove the gate leaves

Swing gate doors are usually heavy and bulky, invite a friend or neighbor to help. After removing the sashes from the hinges, thoroughly clean all parts in contact with each other. Apply gate grease (solid oil, lithol, but we recommend using graphite grease) on all contact parts. Put the sashes back in place.

Recommended by professionals

Carefully inspect the gate hinges, if oilers are embedded in them – you’re in luck! Take a syringe for oilers, fill it with graphite grease (solidol or lithol) and “squirt” each loop.

If there is no oiler, then you will have to tinker. An oiler can be purchased on the market for 20 rubles (automotive parts market). Drill a hole smaller in diameter than the oiler thread in the sash hinge. Take a metal thread tap that matches the thread of the oiler and cut the thread on the hinge. Screw in the oiler and fill it with graphite grease (solid oil or lithol) using a syringe until the lubricant oozes out of all the hinge holes.

To lubricate the hinges by yourself

If your gate is equipped with an automatic drive, then you need to lubricate it too. It doesn’t matter what type of drive you have (“worm” or lever), you need to disconnect it from the gate leaf, lubricate the connection and fix it back.

At the “worm” type drive, it is necessary to lubricate the worm rotating from the electric motor and the movable carriage. It is advisable to do this with spray lubricants (silicone or aerosol lubricant is suitable). After lubrication, you need to start the gate so that the rest of the parts are automatically covered with grease.

Lever-type drive is less capricious. Here it is necessary to treat with an aerosol lubricant the bending points of the lever and the junction with the canvas (for this, it is necessary to remove the drive)

Checking the rollers

The rollers are the small wheels that the door runs on, and over time, they may become worn or damaged. To check the rollers, open the door and inspect them for any signs of wear or damage. If the rollers appear worn or damaged, they will need to be replaced.

Tightening loose hardware

The door is held in place by screws and bolts and over time, these can become loose. Loose hardware can cause the door to become misaligned or unstable. To tighten loose hardware, use a screwdriver or a drill to tighten any loose screws or bolts.

To check the balance of a garage door

A balanced door will open and close smoothly and easily, whereas an unbalanced door will be difficult to open or close. To check the balance of the door, manually open and close it. If it is difficult to open or close, it may be out of balance and will need to be adjusted.

To inspect the weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is the material that is used to seal the door and keep drafts and water out. Over time, weatherstripping can become worn or damaged, and it will need to be replaced. To inspect the weatherstripping, open the door and inspect the material for any signs of wear or damage. If the weatherstripping is in poor condition, it will need to be replaced.

Source of information: secure-house.co.uk