How Often Should You Lubricate a Garage Door? Maintenance Tips for Smooth Operation

Prevent Noisy, Sticky Doors with Simple Maintenance

Garage doors have many moving parts — and like any machine, they need regular maintenance to keep running smoothly. Lubrication is one of the most important (and easiest) steps you can take to reduce wear, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your system.

But how often should you do it? And what should you use?


Why Lubrication Matters

Lubrication helps:

  • Minimize friction on metal parts
  • Prevent rust and corrosion
  • Keep the system running quietly
  • Reduce strain on your garage door opener

Neglecting it can lead to noisy operation, premature part failure, and expensive repairs.


How Often to Lubricate

For homes in Albuquerque, we recommend lubricating your garage door every 6 months, especially before the summer heat and winter cold. If your garage sees heavy daily use, consider doing it every 3–4 months.


What to Lubricate

Focus on:

  • Hinges
  • Rollers (metal only, not nylon)
  • Springs
  • Bearing plates
  • Tracks (wipe clean — don’t lubricate)
  • Garage door opener chain or screw

What Kind of Lubricant Should You Use?

Use a silicone-based or lithium-based spray lubricant designed for garage doors. Avoid:

  • WD-40 (it’s a cleaner, not a lubricant)
  • Grease (it attracts dust and dirt)

Areas We Serve

We provide expert garage door services in:
Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Placitas, Los Lunas, Santa Rosa, Gallup, Silver City, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Taos, Shiprock, Roswell, Artesia, Carlsbad, Clovis, San Antonio, Fort Sumner, Cuba, Nageezi, and nearby areas across New Mexico.

Live nearby? We likely serve your area — call us to find out.

Book a Service Today

Need fast, reliable garage door help? ABQ Garage Doors is here for you.

We’re proud to be Albuquerque’s trusted team for garage door installation, repair, and maintenance.