If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about your garage door throughout the day. Even though you use it to come and go from your home, it doesn’t take up much headspace. That is, until it becomes noisy.
The irritating sounds of a loud garage door that needs maintenance can frustrate your neighbors, create ear-covering sounds and wake up people who are asleep. Strange sounds and loud noises are common signs that your door has a problem — to continue operating it safely, you’ll want to assess all your parts.
Knowing how to fix a noisy garage door comes down to determining where the problem lies, and there are many possible reasons why your garage door is so loud. Thankfully, you can address most of these issues easily and restore your garage to its former quiet glory in no time.
Common Causes of Noisy Garage Doors
Identifying and resolving the noise source can improve your garage door’s functionality and provide a quieter and more peaceful living environment. Here we break down some common causes of noisy garage doors so you can make informed decisions on rectifying these issues.
Nuts and Bolts
After years of wear and tear from opening your door, you may need to tighten the nuts and bolts again. These small pieces are essential to holding the various parts of your garage door system in place. You’ll find nuts and bolts in brackets, hinges, tracks and more. Securing each of these parts or replacing them if they’ve gone missing will help keep your door running and reduce the strange noises you’re hearing.
You can tighten nuts and bolts using a wrench and socket to make that pesky garage door noise go nearly silent. When your bolts, nuts or screws are loose, you may hear some rattling or vibrating as they move from their positions. You should be careful not to secure them too tightly because doing so could strip the screw holes or pull pieces through the door.
It’s also a good idea to check for rust and debris when inspecting the nuts and bolts in your regular maintenance because you may need to replace your screws if they have too much buildup affecting their function.
Rollers
The rollers keep your door connected to the tracks and aid in gliding it up and down. A quick squeaky garage door fix is to lubricate all of your door’s moving parts. Squeaking and grinding are common signs that you need to replace your rollers. Metal rollers working on a metal track can cause loud noises, and these noises can amplify if either of these parts has rust or other signs of wear.
You may only need to lubricate the rollers to fix a squeaky garage door. You should probably call a professional if you still hear strange or loud noises after lubricating your rollers. Your rollers may be reaching the end of their lifetime, and you may need to replace them.
Like many garage door parts, rollers will stop functioning after so many cycles. Although you can extend their life by taking care of them, you can’t avoid old pieces. You should also consider switching to nylon rollers if you currently have metal ones. They will have noise reduction, making the extra cost worth the switch.
Springs
Your garage likely has either torsion or extension springs. These pieces are responsible for lifting your door smoothly and holding the tension that keeps the door in place. If your springs are not worn and still function properly, lubricating them may reduce the noises you’re hearing.
However, if your spring is broken or appears to be very worn out, there’s not much you can do to fix it other than calling a professional. Springs in these conditions can create noises like rumbling, popping or banging if the door hits the ground too suddenly.
If you have a broken spring, you must replace it immediately. You should never use your door while a spring is out of commission, and you should never try to replace springs on your own because some springs can become projectiles when they break.
Other system components may experience stress in the event of a broken spring. The strain could potentially lead to the door unexpectedly closing with force when attempting to open it, which presents a significant safety hazard and poses a risk of injury to anyone passing beneath the door.
Hinges
Your hinges assist your door in following the tracks and ensure it opens and closes properly. It would be best to lubricate your hinges when you maintain the rest of your moving parts, which could reduce the noise you hear from your door. However, before lubricating your hinges, you must disconnect the opener so no one attempts to open the door while you work on it.
If your hinges are worn, broken or have a lot of debris and dust coating them, you will likely want to replace them. Bent hinges will affect how your door moves, and rust or missing screws can prohibit them from working correctly. Removing your hinges without a professional could result in the door collapsing and injuring those in the area. It is always best to contact a professional for hinge replacement.
If your hinges are worn, broken or have a lot of debris and dust coating them, you will likely want to replace them. Bent hinges will affect how your door moves, and rust or missing screws can prohibit them from working correctly. Removing your hinges without a professional could result in the door collapsing and injuring those in the area. It is always best to contact a professional for hinge replacement.
Loud Garage Door Opener
If you’ve evaluated all other parts of the door and haven’t been able to find the problem, the issue could be your opener. The opener is the largest moving piece of your system, and proper function is essential for safe door operation. Straining and rattling could be due to problems with your opener.
Every opener has a drive operator — either a screw, chain or belt that works with the springs to lower and lift your door. Belt and screw drives tend to be quieter than chain drives but are newer to garage systems. If the chain or support rails are loose, you may hear rattling, and a dying motor could make straining noises that indicate it isn’t supplying enough power to function correctly.
It would help if you began troubleshooting by looking at your operation manual. It may give you enough information to solve the problem. If the motor is dying, you’ll need to replace your opener. If the drive is loose, you’ll need to schedule a service with a professional to fix it.
How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door
A noisy garage door can be a source of annoyance and discomfort, but fortunately, several effective solutions address this issue. If you need an advanced fix or to save time and ensure the job is done correctly, contact your local garage door servicing professionals. Here is a summary of what causes a noisy garage door:
Lubrication: Proper lubrication is one of the simplest yet most effective methods for reducing garage door noise. Regularly applying a high-quality lubricant to all moving parts, including hinges, rollers, springs and tracks, can significantly decrease friction and noise levels. Be sure to use a lubricant specifically designed for garage doors, such as silicone-based or lithium-based options.
Alignment of tracks: Regularly inspect your garage door tracks for alignment issues and correct them as necessary. If the misalignment is severe, consult a professional technician for adjustments.
Insulation installation: If your garage door is not adequately insulated, it can transmit external noises into your home, making them sound much louder. Installing insulation — such as foam panels or weatherstripping — can reduce noise infiltration and improve energy efficiency.
Benefits of Contacting a Professional Service
Reaching out to a professional garage door servicer lets you maintain the safety and longevity of your garage door system. Contacting a professional servicer will bring the following benefits to the table:
Expertise and experience: Professional garage door services possess the knowledge and years of experience required to diagnose, repair and maintain your garage door system. They are well-versed in the intricate workings and have encountered many issues. Their years of experience and knowledge help them quickly identify problems and provide practical solutions, saving you time and potential frustration.
Safety assurance: Garage doors can be heavy and operate under high tension, especially with the presence of torsion springs. Attempting to repair or adjust these components without the necessary knowledge and tools can be hazardous. Professional servicers prioritize safety and are trained to handle these aspects with care.
Advanced tools and equipment: Technicians are equipped with the specialized tools and equipment required to perform repairs and maintenance tasks accurately. They can efficiently address issues beyond the capabilities of a typical homeowner’s toolbox.
Preventive maintenance: Preventive maintenance should happen annually with any garage door. Services can help identify and address potential problems before they escalate, ultimately extending the life span of your garage door and reducing the likelihood of unexpected, noisy malfunctions.
Fix Your Noisy Garage Door With Cornwell Door Service
Cornwell Door Service has been family-owned for more than 40 years. Since our beginning, our business has grown from a two-person operation to a team of experts who deliver knowledgeable solutions and exceptional customer service. Our top priority is delivering you high-quality service that exceeds your expectations.
Regular maintenance can prevent your door from becoming noisy. Our trained technicians can inspect and service your door to ensure it receives the attention it needs. If your door is already noisy, and these tips haven’t addressed the issue, contact us for expert advice on how to fix it. We know how to fix squeaky garage doors, and we’ll deliver you quality work at a fair price.
