Do you have a sticky or squeaky garage door? It may need some lubrication. While some garage door maintenance is best left to professionals, garage door lubrication is typically a task you can do yourself. However, the experts at Mesa Garage Doors are available for garage door maintenance if you prefer to have a professional handle the job. Whether we’re performing an installation, repair, or routine maintenance and lubrication, we always adhere to California state safety standards.

Explore the best lubricant for garage doors, how to lubricate garage doors, and other garage door maintenance tips from the team at Mesa Garage Doors. We’re Southern California’s local go-to experts for upkeep, garage door replacements, and repairs of all kinds.

Why Garage Door Lubrication Is Essential for Long-Term Functionality

Garage door lubrication is one of the top five most important tips for maintaining your garage door properly, along with regular inspections, cleaning, servicing, and safety tests. Regular lubrication helps with:

• Reducing wear and tear on all moving parts.
• Saving you money on repairs.
• Preventing rust and corrosion.
• Garage door noise reduction.
• Extending the lifespan of the door.

Taking a few moments to lubricate your garage door’s moving parts keeps the system running smoothly, protects your property, and reduces the need for garage door repairs.

Types of Lubricants: Silicone vs. Lithium vs. WD-40

There are several types of lubricants available on the market, each with its pros and cons. Below are the most commonly used lubricants for residential DIY jobs and mechanical moving parts.

Silicone-Based Sprays

A silicone spray for garage doors is the ideal choice for lubricating specific components of your garage door. Silicone-based spray is a synthetic grease composed of silicone oil and a thickening agent. It’s safe for use on metal, rubber, and plastic surfaces, including electronic components and smaller garage door parts such as hinges and rollers. Silicone sprays are particularly effective in low-temperature and low-stress environments.

Lithium Grease

Lithium grease is a petroleum-based lubricant that performs best in areas where metal surfaces come into contact with each other. It’s suitable for heavy loads, withstanding extreme temperature changes, and resisting corrosion. Using lithium grease on your garage door rollers, hinges, and springs is effective due to their metal-to-metal contact points. However, it shouldn’t be applied to the tracks or any plastic parts.

WD-40 Degreaser

WD-40 isn’t a good option for garage door spring lubrication, hinge lubrication, or as a garage door roller lubricant. Oil-based, water-displacement products temporarily loosen jammed or stuck mechanical parts, but they dry to a sticky residue that attracts dust, grime, and debris. This causes jamming and other serious problems over time. WD-40 may also damage any nearby plastic casings or rubber components.

Where To Lubricate: Rollers, Hinges, Tracks, and Springs

Numerous moving parts make your garage door operate, and they all require regular lubrication to function properly.

Rollers

Focus on applying lubricant to the bearings within the rollers. This is especially important if they’re exposed to the elements. Nylon roller wheels do not require lubrication.

Hinges

Apply lubricant to the hinge pins, the hinge barrels, and where the hinge rotates and moves. Once a light coating is achieved, work the lubricant in by opening and closing the door a few times.

Tracks

Before working on garage door tracks, disengage the door from the opener for safety. Once it’s disconnected, silicone- or lithium-based lubrication can be applied where the rollers contact the track.

Springs

Spray lubricant onto the torsion springs directly, with a focus on the spring’s coils and the bearing plates located at the top of the door. Also, spray a light coating onto the pulleys and the torsion springs.

How Often Should You Lubricate Your Garage Door?

Wondering how often to lubricate your garage door? For optimal results, we recommend that Orange County residents apply lubrication to the critical moving areas of their garage doors at least once or twice a year, depending on the frequency of use and the age of the garage door. This simple action takes just a few minutes and could save you hundreds of dollars on future repairs.

Best Products for Garage Door Lubrication

The top-rated products for lubricating your garage doors are silicone-based lubricants and white lithium grease. These products have been developed to work seamlessly on moving parts, preventing corrosion and providing long-lasting functionality, even through Southern California’s heat waves.

Common Lubrication Mistakes To Avoid

It’s possible to address issues like a garage door squeaking and fix them yourself, but you’ll want to avoid these common DIY garage door lubrication errors:

• Not cleaning the area before lubricating: To start, you should wipe the parts you’re going to lubricate with a clean rag. Remove dirt, cobwebs, and other debris.
• Using degreasers or oil-based lubricants: Using the wrong product may cause more problems in the long run, such as sticking, excess dirt, and mechanical issues.
• Neglecting to remove excess lubricant: After applying a light coating, wipe away any excess lubricant. Otherwise, it can drip and attract dirt to the tracks, springs, or other moving parts.

Trust Mesa Garage Doors for Professional Garage Door Maintenance

Regular garage door opener maintenance is key for quiet and safe garage door operation. At Mesa Garage Doors, our experts provide professional maintenance and lubrication services to homeowners throughout Southern California.

Contact us today to schedule a service or visit our Anaheim showroom to explore our garage door selection. We offer free estimates on new doors and repairs, and we’re available to book your garage door maintenance appointment now.

Philip A. Saunders

Mr. Saunders serves as Mesa’s Vice President of Marketing, bringing with him a wealth of experience in strategic marketing and operations. In this role, Mr. Saunders is responsible for overseeing all marketing activities, utilizing a blend of traditional and digital strategies to enhance brand presence and profitability, managing a multi-million dollar marketing budget across various media platforms, and leading the continued implementation of CRM systems to streamline customer engagement and drive business growth.

www.philipasaunders.com

Like your walls and floors, your garage door contains insulation that enhances your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Well-insulated garage doors help keep noise to a minimum, reduce heat transfer, and regulate the temperature in your home. While the type and level of insulation your garage door needs vary depending on your location and climate, investing in high-quality insulation can make a big difference in your energy savings and year-round comfort.

Read on to learn more about the importance of garage door insulation and discover the signs it might be time to upgrade your home.

Why Garage Door Insulation Matters

Insulation acts as a protective barrier that helps your garage door regulate temperature, noise, and efficiency. It helps maintain a consistent temperature, reduces strain on your HVAC system, and creates a more comfortable indoor environment. You won’t lose excess heat as you try to stay warm during the chilly winter months, or gain extra heat as the summer temperatures rise. Plus, it helps keep noisy activities from transferring inside and out of your garage, reducing disruption to you and those nearby.

Top Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors

Whether you’re looking to reduce the noise transfer from your busy workshop garage or raise the value of your home before selling, installing an insulated garage door offers many advantages. Some of the top benefits of garage door insulation include:

• Energy efficiency: Insulation prevents warm air from transferring into and out of your garage, reducing the energy your HVAC needs to regulate the temperature.
• Climate control: Maintaining a consistent temperature in your garage keeps your stored items safe from weather-related damage.
• Durability: Insulation helps protect garage door components from wear and tear caused by temperature fluctuations.
• Noise reduction: Insulation acts as a sound barrier, keeping noise from transferring between your garage and home.
• Cost savings: With lower energy usage and more efficient HVAC systems, you’ll save on utility bills, repairs, and replacements.
• Home value: Insulated garage doors are a sought-after feature for potential buyers, making your home more desirable.

Understanding R-Value and Insulation Types

How effectively your garage door reduces heat loss depends on its R-value. R-value measures the insulation’s thermal resistance, indicating how well it retains heat inside your garage and prevents outside heat from entering. The higher the R-value of your garage door, the more effective the insulation is.

While insulation with a higher R-value is more effective, choosing the highest rating is not always necessary. Installing the right insulated garage door for your home helps boost your energy efficiency while maximizing your budget. Mild climates often only require insulation with an R-0 to R-6 rating, while moderate climates may need an R-7 to R-15 rating. However, if you live in a cold area with significant temperature fluctuations, choosing a high value of R-16 to R-30 is best.

The type of insulation you choose also determines its effectiveness at reducing heat flow. The most common options are polystyrene and polyurethane. Polystyrene is more affordable but provides reduced insulation as it can leave gaps. Polyurethane generally has a higher R-value as it expands to fill the entire door space and provides a complete insulation barrier.

How Insulated Garage Doors Improve Energy Efficiency

One of the top benefits of garage door insulation is its energy efficiency. Insulation acts as a thermal barrier that prevents heat from escaping the garage in the winter and stops outside heat from entering in the summer. This temperature control extends from your garage into your home, reducing strain on your HVAC system. You’ll see reduced energy consumption, more consistent home temperatures, and long-term savings on utility bills.

Soundproofing Benefits of Garage Door Insulation

When your garage acts as a workshop, workspace, or busy recreation area, noise can become a major distraction for you and those in your household. Insulation acts as a soundproofing barrier that reduces noise transmission inside and out of your garage. It keeps loud sounds from disrupting your home or neighbors while working inside, and keeps outdoor noise from affecting your activities. You’ll have more privacy and a quieter environment, and even reduce the operating noise in your garage.

When to Upgrade Your Garage Door for Better Insulation

Whether your current garage door insulation isn’t performing up to your standards or your door lacks insulation entirely, upgrading can help improve energy efficiency, noise reduction, and temperature control. Some of the top signs it might be time to make a change include:

• Temperature issues: If your garage gets excessively hot or cold, poor insulation may be allowing unwanted heat transfer.

• Drafts: Cold breezes or unwanted drafts near your garage door are often a sign that your insulation and weatherstripping need an upgrade.

• Damage: If your garage door is aging or significantly damaged, it’s likely time to replace it with a new, insulated model.

• Excessive noise: If excessive noise travels from inside your garage to your home and vice versa, enhancing your insulation can help reduce disruptive sound transfer.

• Energy costs: If your utility bills are rising out of control, upgrading your garage door insulation can help reduce energy usage and save you money.

Call Mesa to Upgrade Your Garage Door Today!

Don’t let poor insulation drain your home of energy and comfort. Call the team at Mesa to upgrade to an energy-efficient, noise-reducing garage door today. We’ll assess your current setup, walk you through your options, and help you find the right insulated garage door for your California home. With expert technicians and next-day installations, we can have a new garage door bringing added comfort, efficiency, and value to your home in no time.

Call us or book online to book a consultation or inspection today and discover why we’re the go-to choice for Southern California residents. You can count on our team to provide expert garage door repairs, installations, and maintenance across Anaheim and the surrounding areas.

Philip A. Saunders

Mr. Saunders serves as Mesa’s Vice President of Marketing, bringing with him a wealth of experience in strategic marketing and operations. In this role, Mr. Saunders is responsible for overseeing all marketing activities, utilizing a blend of traditional and digital strategies to enhance brand presence and profitability, managing a multi-million dollar marketing budget across various media platforms, and leading the continued implementation of CRM systems to streamline customer engagement and drive business growth.

www.philipasaunders.com

Your garage door is so much more than just a useful part of your home’s exterior — it’s one of the first visual features people notice when they look at your house. Replace your old, worn-out garage door with a stylish and modern garage door design to increase your property’s value, improve your home’s security, and transform your garage door curb appeal.

How a New Garage Door Transforms Your Home’s Curb Appeal

If you are dealing with a finicky or aged garage door, you’re probably asking yourself if you should repair it again or get a replacement. If you’re experiencing frequent repair needs or your door is worn out, it may be time to consider your new garage door options.

Many of our customers ask us how a garage door enhances home value. The answer is simple. A fresh and modern garage door highlights a well-maintained home, making it more attractive to your guests, neighbors, and potential buyers. A curb-facing garage door sets the tone for your entire property.

If your present garage door is dented or outdated, a modern replacement will revitalize the face of your home. Whether it’s a minimalist design or a classic carriage-style door, it can complement the style of your home’s exterior.

Popular Garage Door Styles to Enhance Your Home

• Modern Full View: Boasting smooth lines, large windows, and a minimalist design, these garage doors offer a sophisticated, contemporary look.
• Modern Flush: Also known as “slab doors,” this style provides a simple and clean look without decorative designs.
• Carriage Classic: Inspired by the old horse-drawn carriage houses, these doors add that rustic, timeless look and pair great with traditional or farmhouse-style homes. Carriage-style doors often feature decorative, deeper patterns and designer windows, making the door more visible from a distance.
• Barn Style Doors: Usually made from artisan wood or faux wood, this style is gaining popularity due to its old-fashioned swing-door look.

Choosing the Right Color for Your Garage Door

Choosing the right garage door color can be an asset to improving your home’s curb appeal. The style and color should pair well with your home’s exterior palette, including the trim, siding, and roof colors. You can opt for a seamless look and blend your garage door with the home’s exterior or choose a color with high contrast.

Neutral colors, like distinct grey, cream, and beige, are a popular choice for timeless appeal. Bold choices like deep blues, slate, and burnt sienna make your garage door a centerpiece in the neighborhood. Wood finishes and stains offer an excellent choice for modern, contemporary, and classic styles.

A practical consideration comes into play as well. Lighter colors reflect direct light, which keeps your garage cooler, and darker colors absorb heat, beneficial in cooler climates.

Choosing the Right Material for Maximum Aesthetic Appeal

• Steel: Low maintenance, highly durable in harsh weather, and available in different finishes.
• Aluminum: Low maintenance, light, modern, and pairs well with tinted windows for style and privacy.
• Wood: Requires high maintenance to prevent warping and rot and keep that natural beauty look.
• Fiberglass: Combines the look of wood with greater durability and is more resistant to dents and warping.
• Vinyl: An ideal choice for humid or coastal climates due to its moisture resistance. Vinyl resists fading and scratching, making it a great option for long-term value.

Can a New Garage Door Boost Your Home’s Value?

According to JLC Remodeling Magazine’s 2024 Cost vs Value Report, replacing your garage door is the top home improvement project for return on investment, yielding a whopping 194% return. Upgrading your garage door is one of the smartest moves a homeowner can make to enhance the curb appeal of their home and its market value.

A modern and well-maintained garage door increases the potential for a return on investment, especially if paired with up-to-date smart technology that offers convenience and increased security.

Garage Doors & Smart Technology: The Perfect Blend of Function and Style

Smart technology has changed the way homeowners interact with their garage doors. Using smart apps, such as myQ, homeowners can open and close their garage doors with their phones from anywhere. They can also get alerts when there are security risks and unexpected access. Built-in cameras and motion detectors also enhance security around the outside of your home.

These technological advancements make your home more convenient for everyday use. Pairing a modern door look with the most cutting-edge technology is another way to enhance home value.

Book a Consultation with Mesa Garage Doors

Not sure whether you should fix your old garage door or look for an upgrade? Is your garage door not closing properly? Call Mesa Garage Doors to learn about your options when deciding on your new replacement. Learn about our Platinum Garage Door Package, which includes a new garage door in a variety of colors, an exclusive quiet glide system, a Smart Wi-Fi garage door opener, and a guaranteed $1000 off contractor pricing.

With over 500,000 satisfied customers, Mesa Garage Doors has been the go-to provider for modern and stylish garage doors in the Southern California area for 35 years. Regardless of your reason for calling, we will provide you with professional advice and a free estimate.

Philip A. Saunders

Mr. Saunders serves as Mesa’s Vice President of Marketing, bringing with him a wealth of experience in strategic marketing and operations. In this role, Mr. Saunders is responsible for overseeing all marketing activities, utilizing a blend of traditional and digital strategies to enhance brand presence and profitability, managing a multi-million dollar marketing budget across various media platforms, and leading the continued implementation of CRM systems to streamline customer engagement and drive business growth.

www.philipasaunders.com

It’s never fun to be locked in the garage. Nor is it good if your garage door is stuck open. A jammed door can leave your car stuck inside or your home vulnerable to security threats and damage from inclement weather. But don’t panic. Before you call for help, there may be a garage door fix that turns your day around. Here are a few DIY steps you can try:

1. Unlock the Garage Door

If your garage door is locked, it won’t move no matter how hard you try. Locking the door can improve safety by preventing it from accidentally opening. Or, it can deter intruders. Perhaps you forgot you left the garage door locked. If there’s no other issue with the system, unlocking the door will allow you to open and close it as usual.

2. Pull the Emergency Release Cord

Open the door manually to bypass a stubborn automatic garage door opener. To do so, pull the red emergency release cord above the front of the garage door. This will disengage the opener. You should then be able to lift and close the door by hand. 

If the door is too heavy to lift, you may need a technician to replace a spring or cable. Even if it opens with little effort, there could be an issue with the garage door opener, whether it’s unplugged, the breaker tripped, or the opening mechanism is damaged.

3. Change the Remote Control Batteries

If you’ve examined the garage door opener and all seems fine, check the batteries in the remote control. The batteries should last a while. However, they’ll eventually need to be replaced. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. Just follow the product instructions for the right type of battery and how to replace it. 

4. Check the Motor Connection

If you’re locked in the garage, perhaps you’ve used the disconnect cord recently and forgot to reset it. Or, someone accidentally switched or turned something that disconnected the motor. If it’s not damaged, reconnecting it should restore the normal operation of your garage door.

5. Look for a Blocked Sensor

The photo eye sensors are located on both sides of the garage door opening. They use an invisible beam to detect objects; if this beam is blocked, the sensors trigger the garage door opener to stop. Dirt, a stray toy, or a spider web can block the path of the signal. Remove anything obstructing the transmitter or receiver and see if the garage door works again.

6. Clean the Garage Door Track

If your garage door is stuck, another good place to look is the tracks. Dirt, leaves, stones, toys, and debris can get stuck and prevent your garage door from moving. The rollers are very sensitive. If you can, pick or brush out any obstructions, so the rollers can move smoothly again. But if the tracks have dents, bumps, warping, or other signs of damage, call a repair specialist to inspect and either repair or replace them.

7. Check the Garage Door Springs

Perform a visual inspection of your garage door’s springs. They are located either at the top if they’re torsion springs or alongside the door if they’re extension springs. Each spring should form a continuous coil; continue searching for the cause of your stuck door if the springs look okay.

However, if a spring appears broken, there’s a gap in the middle, or the spring is hanging, it cannot support the weight of the garage door. Call a repair professional to replace the spring. Attempting this type of repair on your own risks injury or property damage.

When to Call a Professional

Don’t delay calling for help if you suspect a bad spring caused your garage door to get stuck. Other signs you should call a garage door repair company include:

• The Garage Door Jams While Open: If the door is open and won’t close, pulling the emergency release cord or the handle can cause it to rapidly fall to the ground. This can cause major damage or injure you. Put a log or another object under the door before proceeding, but if you’re not skilled at this type of repair, call for help before doing anything.
• The Garage Door Is Crooked: A door can get stuck on one side due to damaged springs, poor lubrication, or going off the track. Other issues can also lead to such a problem. A professional is trained to know what to look for, so it’s best not to take any chances.
• The Door Sticks Halfway or Jams Going Up: If the door doesn’t open all the way, close it. Pull the emergency release cord and try to open it again. If it still only opens halfway, there is a garage door or opener problem, so contact a professional. 

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

A stuck garage door is a common issue for homeowners. If you’re locked in the garage and there isn’t a simple garage door fix, our trained technicians can diagnose and correct the underlying cause. They can fix garage door openers, springs, cables, rollers, tracks, and other components. If you need a garage door repair company in Los Angeles, call us at (800) 893-1107 we are open 24/7.

Philip A. Saunders

Mr. Saunders serves as Mesa’s Vice President of Marketing, bringing with him a wealth of experience in strategic marketing and operations. In this role, Mr. Saunders is responsible for overseeing all marketing activities, utilizing a blend of traditional and digital strategies to enhance brand presence and profitability, managing a multi-million dollar marketing budget across various media platforms, and leading the continued implementation of CRM systems to streamline customer engagement and drive business growth.

www.philipasaunders.com

Nowadays, there are many options to pick from when you need a new garage door. One of them is a roll-up garage door. It’s made of small, thin slats that fold one by one into a roll at the top of the opening. Often used in commercial settings, it can be modified for use in a home and serves the same purpose as a traditional garage door.

We’ll now explain the pro’s and con’s to help decide if a roll-up garage door is right for you:

Roll-Up Garage Door Pro’s

• Ideal for Homes with Limited Space: Roll-up doors essentially fold out of the way when they open. Little clearance is needed and the door doesn’t take up ceiling space. Cars can be parked inside closer to the wall and there’s more room for storage.
• Feature a Durable Design: Resistant to wear and tear, roll-up doors tolerate heavy rainfall, hail, wind, and ice. Most are wind load certified and can be installed in hurricane-prone areas, while fewer parts mean less maintenance.
• Improved Home Security: Roll-up garage doors are strong and don’t have exterior handles. Therefore, intruders have more difficulty trying to open them. The motor also functions as a durable lock, which helps improve security.
• A Wide Range of Options: Manual and automatic versions are available, while you can choose from a range of colors, finishes, and materials including steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. Manufacturers also offer models with built-in foam insulation.
• Increased Efficiency: By installing an insulated garage door, you can limit heat loss, outside noise, and air leakage. This can reduce heating and cooling costs as well as reduce the load on your HVAC system.

Roll-Up Garage Door Con’s

• They Often Appear Industrial: Many homeowners don’t prefer the aesthetics, and the options for design changes are limited. Any painting or finishing must be completed before the garage door is installed.
• Installation Isn’t Easy: It can take a team of experienced professionals to install a roll-up garage door. Roll-up doors come in various sizes, which dictate the installation process. This is not a DIY project.
• Initial Costs Can Be High: Roll-ups can be complex and expensive to install compared to other types of garage doors. Costs vary depending on the construction material.
• Fewer Customization Options: There isn’t much variability from one roll-up door to another. Each has horizontal lines created by the slats. Roll-ups don’t provide much space for windows and don’t come in patterns.
• A Heavier Construction: Another downside to roll-up garage doors is their weight. They’re heavier compared to other garage doors, especially when insulated, creating challenges during installation and repair.

Discover Your Options with Mesa Garage Doors

We offer numerous residential garage door types, styles, and options in Southern California. Repair services are available as well. For residents in Los Angeles and Orange County areas schedule a new door or repair estimate online or call us at (844) 473-2866 today.

Philip A. Saunders

Mr. Saunders serves as Mesa’s Vice President of Marketing, bringing with him a wealth of experience in strategic marketing and operations. In this role, Mr. Saunders is responsible for overseeing all marketing activities, utilizing a blend of traditional and digital strategies to enhance brand presence and profitability, managing a multi-million dollar marketing budget across various media platforms, and leading the continued implementation of CRM systems to streamline customer engagement and drive business growth.

www.philipasaunders.com