Does your door make too much noise when you open it? The reasons for the new racket can vary. When garage doors squeal, bang, rattle and make other unusual sounds, it can be a source of frustration for you and the rest of the neighborhood. Thankfully, in most cases, you can save money — and your sanity — by fixing the problem yourself. Here’s how you can go about taking care of the issue.
How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door
The sounds a noisy garage door makes can differ, as can the causes behind them. Garage doors can rattle, squeal, bang, scrape, grind or make a combination of noises throughout operation. The best way to pinpoint the source of your extra noise is an inspection. Check all your components while the door is stationary, then listen and watch while using your door.
If your garage door is noisy, try these simple DIY fixes to silence it:
- Lubricate your components: Garage doors have many moving parts, and all of them require constant lubrication to perform their best. If your garage door squeals while opening and closing, it could be due to poor lubrication. Inadequate lubrication causes friction, which can also lead to vibrating, grinding and garage door screeching. Spray your springs, rollers, tracks, chain and other hardware down using a silicone lubricant to help quiet the door’s operation.
- Check your tracks for damage: When you open your garage door, the rollers move through the tracks mounted on each side, keeping the door aligned. If the tracks are bent or damaged, they can place pressure on the rollers and create a loud rubbing noise. If the damage is minor, you can pull the track back into place using the claw of a hammer. Insert the claw into the lip at the inside of the track and use it to bend the track back into its original position.
- Tighten or replace any loose parts: Garage doors vibrate when opening, and over time, your hardware can become loose and start making noise. Rattling sounds and squeaking are signs of loose parts, and they’re often something you can easily take care of in a matter of minutes. Inspect your garage door from top to bottom for any loose nuts, bolts, rollers, hinges or chains, making sure to tighten or replace anything that needs your attention.
- Perform regular maintenance: Once you take care of the cause of your noise, help keep your garage door working quietly with proper maintenance. At least once per year, inspect your garage door system for any damage, sounds and signs of wear. Clean any dirt and grime out of your tracks and lubricate the metal hardware, including the springs, bearings and rollers.
Professional Garage Door Care
Place the regular maintenance of your garage door in the hands of a professional. If you own a home in the Gallatin or Nashville areas, reach out to EXL Garage Doors to ask about our garage door maintenance services.