Being In Touch With Your Garage Door

Garage door springs break due to a multitude of reasons, including wear and tear, poor maintenance and poor installation. Springs that are poorly maintained tend to rust. A rusty spring is dangerous because it can give out at any time and lead to an accident. Because of this, it is important to lubricate your springs regularly in order to keep them rust free. Fortunately, there are a few lubricants that work better than others to get the job done.

Silicone-Based Sprays

Silicone-based sprays are some of the most popular lubricants used for garage door springs because they prevent things like dirt and debris from adhering to the surface. In many cases, rusty garage door springs are a result of the buildup of dirt and debris. Silicone-based sprays act as a barrier between dirt and the springs. It is important to clean your garage door springs before applying the silicone-based spray.

White Lithium Grease

White lithium grease is used as a go-to lubricant for garage door springs because of its ability to reduce friction between the springs and other metal components. White lithium grease goes on pretty thick, so it needs to be applied using a cloth. Applying the grease directly onto the springs is an easy way to over oil them. Excess oil will often cause the garage door to jam. All you need is a few drops in order to wipe down all of your springs. Just like silicone-based oils, white lithium grease needs to be applied to a clean surface.

Canola oil

Canola oil is often a favorite oil in the kitchen, but it also serves its purpose for other areas in the home. It is commonly used as a lubricant for metal parts. It allows blades, gears and motors to run smoothly and it also works for garage door springs. The oil is thick enough to provide a suitable coating to protect your springs from direct contact with other metal parts. It also prevents dirt and other items from hanging on to the spring. Canola oil is much thinner than silicone-based sprays and white lithium grease, so it is easy to apply too much

Once you begin to hear squeaking sounds, your garage door springs are in need of a cleaning and oiling session. Use these lubricants as a part of your maintenance routine to ensure that your garage door springs remain rust free. For more information, visit sites like http://www.doordoctorinc.com/