Quieting a Noisy Garage Door
A noisy garage door is a real problem. It creates discomfort, interferes with an individual’s peace of mind and if there are living quarters directly above or adjacent the door, can disrupt sleep.
Wearing earplugs is one way to deal with the noise. Locating the culprit, and fixing the problem is another. The latter is a long-term solution and one we think you’ll like better than having to remember to put in earplugs before crawling into bed at night.
Here are a few simple ways to quiet a noisy garage door:
Test the Door’s Balance
One of the first, and most important things you should do when ruling out the culprit of your noisy garage door is to check the door’s balance. An unbalanced door can cause a lot of noise. The International Door Association (IDA) recommends testing the door’s balance once a month as part of a preventative maintenance program.
To test the door:
Close the door
Pull the door release handle to allow for manual operation
Lift the door about 3 or 4 feet above the ground. If it remains open, the door is properly balanced. If not, contact a garage door repair professional to adjust it.
Tighten Up the Hardware
Over time, it’s only natural for hardware to loosen, especially considering the number of times the door is opened and closed (four times a day on average). Using a basic wrench and socket set, tighten all the nuts and bolts on the door, including those that hold the tracks to the support brackets. Be careful not to over tighten them.
Replace the Rollers
It’s not uncommon for old or worn rollers to make a lot of noise as they roll up and down the metal track. To correct this situation, replace them with nylon or steel covered in rigid nylon rollers, which are quieter and don’t require regular lubrication. This is a job for a garage door repair professional only.
Replace the Hinges
Another potential source of noise are the hinges that hold the door panels together. Hinges should be regularly lubricated. Broken hinges, however, should be immediately replaced since they can cause serious damage to the door itself. Replace with heavy steel which should last 10-15 years of normal use.
Upgrade the Garage Door Opener
Chain drive openers are the most common units available. As their name implies, these openers rely on a bicycle-like chain to push the trolley connected to the J-arm, which understandably results in a noticeable amount of noise. If your sleeping quarters are directly above or adjacent the garage, consider a belt drive unit.
