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How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door
Is your noisy garage door disturbing your peace? Several issues could cause it to creak, squeak or rattle. Regular maintenance can prevent garage doors from becoming noisy, but sometimes, a repair or replacement is necessary.
If you’re looking to fix your garage door, read on for a checklist of the tools you’ll need and a breakdown of every step to silence a loud garage door. Addressing the noise early on can prevent further damage and costly complications.
Tools and Materials Needed
Fixing a noisy garage door can improve its functionality and help reduce wear and tear. Here are the typical tools you’ll need:
- Screwdriver
- Impact driver
- Adjustable wrench or wrench set
- Stepladder
- Ratchet set
You will also need a lubricant for the hardware and cleaning cloths to keep the mess to a minimum.
Steps to Fix a Noisy Garage Door
There is no cookie-cutter method to fix a noisy garage door because it depends on the root cause. However, it often involves the following steps:
1. Inspect the Garage Door
Inspecting your noisy garage door before attempting to fix it is crucial. Some causes might be dangerous to fix on your own, and you may need to call a professional. Others may need more attention on things like lubrication or replacement. Here are the common causes of a noisy garage door:
- Improper installation: Loud rattling, grinding or squeaking noises can indicate improper installation. In this case, do not try to fix the door yourself. Schedule a professional garage door repair to fix it safely.
- Worn rollers: If your garage door has gone a while without servicing, the rollers may be worn out. This can cause your door to constantly slip off the tracks, creating a loud, screeching or vibrating sound.
- Lack of lubrication: Regularly lubricating the garage door parts is important to prevent corrosion and rust, keep them silent and help them open and close smoothly.
- Off-balance door: Scraping sounds could indicate that the garage door is off-balance.
- Springs and cables: Inspect the springs and cables for signs of deterioration and rust. Broken torsion springs can cause the door to fall rapidly. If you suspect problems with the springs and cables, call a professional.
Once you’ve identified the cause, you can continue with the following steps.
2. Tighten Loose Hardware
If you spot any loose screws or bolts or suspect an off-balance door, you may need to tighten loose hardware like the gear or chain. Over time, these can come loose and cause loud noises. Use a wrench to tighten any loose bolts around the chain.
Pay extra attention to loose hinges and brackets. If the door feels too loose, it could be dangerous. If it’s more than just a few loose nuts and bolts, seek emergency garage door repair services for a quick and safe repair.
If you tighten the loose hardware and the door still makes a loud noise, it may need another solution, such as lubrication.
3. Lubricate Moving Parts
A loud garage door with a high-pitched squeaking sound can signal a problem with the rollers or a lack of lubrication. Even if there’s no noise, keeping the door mechanisms well-lubricated is vital because it helps the door parts function smoothly. Proper lubrication can help the parts last for years and save you money in the long run.
Here are the typical steps to lubricating the moving parts of a garage door:
- Pick the correct lubricant: Use a high-quality lithium grease spray or silicone-based lubricant instead of WD-40 to keep things lubricated while slowing down dust buildup.
- Clean before lubricating: Inspect the rollers, springs and hinges for excess dust, dirt and grime. Wipe them down with a clean cloth before spraying them with lubricant to prevent sticky mechanisms that could cause the door to jam.
- Lubricate the moving parts: Locate the hinges, which connect individual door panels and enable them to move and flex. Spray the lubricant on the hinge pins. Next, lubricate the rollers, ensuring the lubricant coats the bearings without getting on the tracks. Lastly, spray lubricant on the entirety of the spring system, including the pulleys.
Using the right amount of lubricant is essential, as excess amounts can attract dust. If you’ve used too much, wipe some off with a dry cloth. Lubricate every few months. People who live in coastal climates may need to lubricate more often to prevent rust and corrosion.
4. Inspect and Replace Rollers
Worn-out rollers can cause the door to become misaligned, which creates a large screeching or squeaking sound. You may also notice a vibrating sound if this issue causes the door to slip off the tracks. When you need to replace rollers, consider the pros and cons of each type:
- Steel rollers: Steel rollers provide the best durability but are a pricier option. They may not be the best pick for humid or coastal areas, as they are prone to rust.
- Nylon rollers: Nylon rollers are rust-resistant and offer quiet operation. They’re excellent for humid areas.
- Plastic rollers: Plastic rollers are the most economical option, but they tend to wear out faster than the other options.
5. Adjust or Replace the Tracks
A noisy garage door could result from old or damaged tracks. In this case, you’ll need to replace or adjust them. Here are the typical steps involved:
- Remove the bolts connecting the track and take the track down.
- If you’re adjusting, place and drill the track down to prevent noise. If you’re replacing, measure, mark and cut the new track to prepare it to slot in perfectly.
- Ensure the track lines are aligned with the measurement marks before drilling.
- Install the bolts from inside the tracks before you secure the outside bolts.
- Clamp the vertical and upper tracks so that they’re better aligned. Use a vise grip for better symmetry.
- Tighten all the nuts and bolts from the top down.
- Test the garage door to see if it runs smoother and quieter.
While it may seem straightforward, adjusting or replacing the tracks is not recommended if you don’t have the correct equipment and expertise. It’s best to call on professional repair services.
6. Check the Garage Door Opener
If the garage door is noisy when opening, it could hint toward a faulty garage door opener. The opener is one of the most critical parts. It typically lasts 10–15 years, and you must replace it promptly. Grinding or buzzing sounds can indicate a failing or old opener.
The best solution for a faulty or old garage door opener is to replace it. Installing a more modern opener has many benefits, including enhanced security thanks to Wi-Fi-enabled control and smoother operation.
A new garage door opener is also safer. Modern models use advanced technology like sensors to prevent doors from opening and closing when someone gets too close.
7. Test the Door
You can test the door once you’ve completed all the checks and fulfilled each step. Open and close it and listen for any noises. You should also look for imbalances. If the door is still noisy or faulty, call a professional to fix it properly.
Contact R&R Doors for Noisy Garage Door Repairs
At R&R Doors, we’ve been helping people get the best garage doors since 1986. We’ve won many accolades, including the “Master Plus” dealer status — the highest rating from Amarr Garage Doors — and LiftMaster’s “Award of Excellence” several years in a row.
We offer quick, efficient and affordable garage door repairs for residential and commercial customers. If you want to install a new garage door, we stock the best Clopay garage doors that’ll serve you for years to come. As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on offering our customers the best possible value.
Schedule a service with our nifty online scheduler or contact us for questions or requests.