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If you’ve ever had a loud garage door or a noisy garage door opener, you’ll understand the frustration of clicking the button on your remote. It wouldn’t be quite so bad if the door systems operated a bit faster.
As it stands though, your belt driven garage door operates very slowly. If you’d like to make your garage door quieter, keep reading. We’ll deal with simple problems like how to stop a garage door from squeaking through to less obvious issues like how to replace the hinge.
Before we get onto how to fix a loud garage door, we do have to mention that there are a few different things that could impact the way the door operates. It’s also worth mentioning that while the tips we give here are simple enough, not all garage door repair projects are ideal DIY projects.
If you don’t see any of the obvious issues that we cover below, then it might be time to call in a pro. A noisy garage door motor might be something you don’t want to tinker with yourself, for example.
Your first step when you want to fix a noisy garage is a simple one. Make sure that the door and track are clean and clear of debris. Debris dragging along the track when the door opens and closes might not be enough to stop the door from working but can make a racket.
One of the most common causes of garage door noise is loose hardware. Take some time to tighten any bolts and screws up a bit. Be careful not to strip the screws but make sure that they’re all fitting snugly. Also, check that all the bottom brackets are nicely secured.
Your next step is to check the rollers to see if they need replacement. Most of these rollers will have unsealed bearings. These can pick up dirt and debris over time and so will need to be replaced. If your door is wobbling as it opens or closes, this could be the problem.
Where possible, replace your rollers with sealed bearings. They are more expensive than open bearings, but they will last longer.
You should also consider getting nylon rollers. Again, you’ll pay more for these, but they are not as noisy and require less maintenance. Nylon rollers don’t need to be oiled regularly, so that little bit extra you pay upfront pays for itself over time.
There is a caveat here, though. If torsion springs have been mounted above your door, you should not replace the rollers at the bottom. These are held in under tension, and if you unbolt them, you could do yourself a serious injury.
Worn hinges are more of a problem with older garage doors, but it is still something that should be checked. If the hinges are worn, the door won’t be able to maintain its proper range of motion. This could end up causing wear on the joints.
It’s normal for these hinges to have some give, but over time, the strain of the movement will cause the hole around the hinge pin to widen into more of an oblong shape. You might also see metal filings or dust around the area. Any of these issues mean that it’s time to replace the hinge.
Your next step is to check the opener chain. If your door is not opening smoothly, and or you hear a slapping sound, this is possibly your problem. Try to tighten the chain or, if applicable, lubricate the track it runs in.
If the extension springs or garage door spring is making a squeaking sound, it’s a pretty easy fix. All you need to do is get a lubrication kit and lube it up. It’s a good idea to do this about twice a year to keep things running smoothly.
Be sure to get a lube specially designed for this purpose. Other lubricants will not penetrate as deeply and will attract dirt. This, in turn, will cause issues for you.
What if my garage door makes a racket noice and then won’t open?
The first thing to check is that the power is getting through to the door. Then check to see if the torsion spring or extension is broken. If you can’t see anything obviously damaged, it could be a problem with the motor or the counterbalance mechanism.
If that’s the case, give us a call.
Maintenance is usually a simple matter. There are not that many moving parts here. Lubricate the moving parts every six months or so. Aside from that, make sure that all tracks are kept clear of dirt and debris.
We usually wouldn’t recommend this as it could be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. The springs need to be kept under a great deal of torque. If they’re released incorrectly, you could injure yourself.
Ordinary grease is not going to do the components any harm, but it’s not ideal. It will attract dust and dirt and may not penetrate as deeply into the spring or rollers as a specialist product. Spend the extra few bucks and use the right product. It’ll save you a lot of work later.
If you’ve followed the steps that we’ve outlined above, and the problem is not improving, give us a call. We’d also recommend this if you’re not all that good at DIY. If you’re not sure about what parts we’re talking about above, it’s probably better to play it safe and leave it to us to fix.
A noisy garage door is more than just a nuisance. It also announces to your neighborhood that you’ve gone out or that you’ve just arrived home. Fortunately, it’s usually an easy fix. Follow the steps that we’ve outlined above, and you should have a quiet garage door again. If not, get in touch with our office, and we’ll see what we can do.
We provide garage door service in the greater Dallas metro area
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