How to Handle a Noisy Garage Door
The garage door needs all parts working flawlessly to cycle smoothly.
A squeaking and clanking garage door is the last thing any homeowner wants to experience before and after work. However, the noise indicates that the door hardware needs attention. If left unattended, the components that cause the noise can eventually fail and demand high repair or replacement costs.
This article explains how to inspect a noisy garage door before the problem escalates.
Check if the tracks are bent
Garage doors have vertical tracks placed on each side and horizontal tracks that connect the vertical ones near the ceiling. They help smooth out the door's movement while it opens and closes. If these tracks bend, the door might struggle to open properly and make a loud noise as it grinds against the track.
Fixing bent tracks requires a mallet and pliers to align them properly. If a section tracks are irreparably bent, the solution is to replace them.
Ensure the door hardware is not loose
The garage door needs all parts working flawlessly to cycle smoothly. The door will produce grinding or high-pitched squeaking noises if any part wears or becomes loose. Fixing the noise requires tightening the rollers, hinges, chains, nuts, and bolts. However, one should avoid over-tightening to leave room for natural movement. If a part resists too much while tightening it, it might be worn out and require replacement.
Lubricate the garage door's moving parts
The garage door's moving parts, such as rollers, hinges, chains, nuts, and bolts, are all metallic. If they become dirty, rusty, or too dry, they'll grind against each other and produce noise because of friction, which also causes wear and tear. Lubricating the parts adds a thin film between the elements, preventing them from rubbing against each other while reducing movement resistance.
For better results, homeowners should avoid lubricants such as grease and oil because they attract dust and don't penetrate well. The best lubricant is garage door lube.
Assess if the door parts align properly
Sometimes, the garage door makes noise because of improper installation. A poorly installed door will have the pulley system and other parts misaligned. Also, it'll be hard to open, and some parts might already be damaged. This problem can result from using low-quality garage door parts, wrong equipment, or human error. Reinstalling the door will fix the problem.
Insulate the garage door opener with anti-vibration pads
The garage door vibrations and noises might result from the garage door opener. It also transmits the noises to the ceiling or supporting structure. Adding an anti-vibration pad between the opener motor and the mounting surface can help dampen the noise. The pads also reduce wear and tear.
Open your garage door quietly
When a garage door becomes noisy, one can try fixing it using simple methods such as lubricating and tightening loose parts. However, if the problem persists, a homeowner should contact a professional since they have the knowledge and necessary tools to inspect the doors for more significant issues and conduct efficient repairs.
Phoenician Garage Door & Repair offers full-service garage installation, repair and maintenance in Maricopa County. Emergency service available. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Call (602) 610-0112.
