How do I keep garage door hinges from cracking?

The short version

Four habits keep hinges from cracking: oil them once a year, tighten loose screws, test the door's balance by hand every month, and fix a bent hinge before it fails. None of it takes more than a few minutes. What it does not include is any work on springs, cables or the bottom corner brackets, which are a door technician's job.

Test the door every month

Hinges crack when the door asks too much of them, and the earliest sign is how the door moves. The CPSC says to inspect the garage door and the garage door opener every 30 days to make sure they are working properly.^[2] LiftMaster's monthly check is simple: Manually operate door. If it is unbalanced or bind ing, call a trained door systems technician.^[3]

A door that is out of balance or binds loads its hinges harder on every cycle. The CPSC adds: If doors are not "balanced," or if they bind or stick, they should be serviced by a professional.^[2] Do not wait until a hinge shows a crack.

Look and tighten

Once a year, run through the hinges. Check for loose or bent hinges.^[1] The remedy for a loose one is Tighten screws on loose hinges.^[1] Go snug, not forced. Clopay also lists a wider check: Check the door and track supports for loose or missing bolts, screws, etc. Be careful not to over tighten.^[1]

While you look, keep hands and fingers clear of section joints, track, and other door parts,^[1] since the hinges are at those joints. A bent hinge is the one to act on early: Straighten or replace bent hinges.^[1] See how to replace a broken garage door hinge for the method.

Oil them once a year

LiftMaster's yearly checklist reads: Oil door rollers, bearings and hinges.^[3] Clopay's annual maintenance says to Lubricate all moving parts of the door with light household oil.^[1]

A drop on each hinge pivot is enough. Wipe off the excess so it does not drip or collect dust. Skip the tracks: LiftMaster adds a warning, Do not grease the doors tracks.^[3] The same visit is a good time to listen for squeaks, and how to make a garage door quieter covers the rest.

Wash the door

Dirt and road salt sit on the hardware as well as the panels. Clopay's manual says the door should be cleaned at least twice a year (normal environments) or 4 times a year (coastal environments).^[1] The door may need to be cleaned more frequently if road salt accumulates in a winter climate.^[1] The door should be wiped down with a mild household detergent and rinsed with clean water.^[1]

Replace, never rush

When a hinge does need replacing, go slowly. Door must be locked and in the down position.^[1] No more than one hinge is to be removed from the door at any given time.^[1] The details are in the sibling answer above.

Stop and call a pro if

• The door is heavy, lurches or will not stay part-way open. That is a spring problem. Springs, cables, and bottom fixtures are under strong spring tension.^[1] Do not attempt to loosen any fasteners on these components.^[1]
• A hinge at a bottom corner is cracked or loose. The brackets at the bottom corners of your garage door are under great tension.^[1]
• The door binds or sticks. The CPSC says it should be serviced by a professional.^[2]
• Several hinges are cracking. Read why garage door hinges crack and ask a technician for a written quote.

Getting help in Virginia

For a door that is out of true, see how to keep garage door tracks aligned. Browse more garage door repair answers, or find pros under garage door repair on Loclis.

When you want a technician to do the check and the springs, describe what the door is doing and local garage door pros will quote it. Ask for the price in writing.