In dry, windy country, dust and sand settle in garage door tracks and on rollers, and oil on the tracks turns that dust into paste. Wipe the tracks with a damp cloth and keep lubricant off them. Lubricate hinges, springs and bearing rollers instead, and expect to re-lubricate more often, since dusty conditions shorten how long lubricant lasts.
Why dust matters to a garage door
The National Weather Service says dust storms are most common in the Southwest, and that a haboob is a dust storm started by strong thunderstorm winds. Storms like that usually arrive suddenly and last only a few minutes, but they leave dust and sand in every gap, including the tracks of a garage door.
Dust does not have to come from a big storm. Dry, windy days in desert communities such as Lancaster, Apple Valley or Coachella can carry fine grit into a garage whenever the door is open.
What dust does to tracks and rollers
- Grit in the track makes rollers drag or skip, which can make the door noisy and jerky.
- Dust on lubricant forms a gritty paste. Clopay says dusty or humid conditions can shorten how long lubricant lasts.
- Grease on the track attracts dirt. Clopay says lubricant on the track makes the rollers work harder and forces the opener to strain.
- Sand in a hinge or bearing wears the metal as the door cycles.
Do and do not
Do
- Wipe the tracks with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris
- Use a silicone-based lubricant on hinge pins, bearing rollers and springs
- Wipe off excess lubricant after you spray
- Clean grimy rollers before you lubricate and let them dry
Do not
- Do not lubricate the tracks
- Do not lubricate nylon rollers, per Clopay
- Do not use oil-based sprays that attract dust
- Do not bend, hammer or adjust a damaged track yourself
A dust-season routine
Release the door and look
With the door closed, look along both tracks for sand, leaves, spider webs and bright scrape marks.
Vacuum, then wipe
Clopay says to wipe the tracks with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris. Sweep or vacuum loose sand first, and let the tracks dry.
Check the bolts
Clopay says track screws and bolts should be snug and the tracks aligned. Tighten loose ones, and call a technician if a track is out of line.
Lubricate the right parts
Spray silicone on hinge pins and springs, and the bearings of steel rollers, and wipe off the excess. Clopay says to re-lubricate every 3 to 6 months, and more often in heavy use.
Run the door
Open and close it. It should move smoothly, with no scraping, jerking or tilting.
After a dust storm
Close the door as soon as you can, since an open door lets the dust in. Once the air clears, wipe the tracks and the bottom seal and clean the photo-eye lenses with a soft cloth. If the door now binds, skips or leans, stop using it. A track that has been knocked out of line is not a do-it-yourself job, as Clopay advises calling a professional for track alignment.
Signs it is more than dust
A door that stays crooked after you clean the tracks, rollers that are flat or worn, and cables that look frayed point to something deeper. See worn or squeaky rollers and bent or misaligned tracks. Never loosen a spring or cable yourself.
Where we come in
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, openers and gates in Southern California, and our city pages cover California, including Apple Valley, Coachella and Lancaster. If the door still sticks after a good cleaning, call (213) 340-4232 or use the estimate form. Our 12-point safety inspection is $89. See garage door repair.
Questions people ask
Should I grease garage door tracks?
No. Clopay says to wipe the tracks clean with a damp cloth and not to lubricate them, because lubricant makes the rollers work harder.
How often should I lubricate a garage door in a dusty area?
Clopay suggests re-lubricating every 3 to 6 months, and notes that dusty conditions can shorten how long lubricant lasts.
What lubricant should I use on a garage door?
Clopay recommends silicone-based lubricant on hinges, rollers and springs and advises against WD-40 and other oil-based products.
Can dust stop a garage door from closing?
Grit can make a door skip or bind, and dirty photo-eye lenses can stop it closing. Clean the tracks and lenses first, then call if it persists.
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