Most garage doors take 10 to 15 seconds to open or close. If your garage door takes more than 15 seconds to open, it might be time to call a professional. But there are a couple of ways that you can speed up a slow garage door all your own.
Lubricate the hinges, rollers, and/or springs
Garage door systems have a number of moving parts. Over time, the lubrication wears away, increasing the friction between parts and slowing things down. If your garage door recently started losing speed, a lack of lubrication is the most likely cause. Start by inspecting the garage door springs, hinges, and rollers.
Lubrication can damage plastic parts, so only apply it to metal components. It’s best to use a non-silicone lubricant. And whatever you do, don’t use WD-40! WD-40 works to remove rust and grease, so it might actually make your garage door slower.
- The hinges are located on the inside of your garage door. They hold the panels together and allow the door to curl as it opens or closes. To lubricate them, lift your door manually and spray each hinge once or twice as they reach the pivot point.
- Garage door springs are located at the top of the door and are responsible for opening and closing it. Because they play such a pivotal role, it’s essential to keep them lubricated. Doing so will keep the door moving quickly and extend the life of the machine. They only need a tiny bit of lube, so don’t overdo it.
- The rollers slide along the track at the edges of your garage door. If you have metal rollers check if their lubricant has worn away. When it has, give the rollers a quick spray and you’re sure to notice a difference.
If you’re more of a visual learner, check out this guide on how to lubricate a garage door.
Adjust the speed setting
If you have a new garage door that’s too slow for you, it might just be on a slower setting. Units with adjustable speeds usually hide the dial beneath the motor housing that sits above your parking area.
Every model is different. So it’s best to check your owner’s manual to learn how to adjust the speed of your particular door. In general, these dials are set to the lowest setting by default for safety reasons.
If you’ve applied lubrication and adjusted the speed setting without results, it’s time to have your garage door serviced. Robert’s Garage Door Professionals specializes in both commercial and residential garage door repair. If it’s beyond repair, we also offer high speed garage door installation in Evanston, Chicago, and the surrounding areas.
As the premier garage door company in the Chicagoland area, we’re sure you’ll be satisfied with our service. Plus, we’ll beat the price of any of our competitors and even honor their coupons. Call today to make an appointment!
