It’s not uncommon for us to receive an influx of calls during Spring with garage door owners complaining about an extremely noisy garage door here in Yuba City. Garage doors tend to need some maintenance after the winter season, whether due to temperature fluctuations or neglect.
For some, a noisy garage door may be a normal thing that they’ve just gotten used to. However, a noisy door is far from normal. If your garage door is creaking, screeching, grinding or making any other type of unusual noise then this is a sign that something is wrong with your door.
Fortunately, noisy garage doors are fair simply to fix and it is not an expensive repair if you call a garage door company for help. However, ignoring the noise can lead to expensive repairs – so be sure to take care of it promptly.
Potential Causes of Garage Door Noise
If you’re dealing with a loud garage door, there are a few potential things that could cause it.
PROBLEM: Garage door opener
If you hear a grinding or clanking sound, there’s a good chance that it’s being caused by the chain drive or belt on your garage door opener. You can usually pinpoint this by listening closely as you operate the door. The sound will originate from the opener instead of the door itself.
SOLUTION: The chain drive may need to be tightened or replaced entirely. You might also want to consider switching to a belt drive instead which uses a rubber belt. This allows for much quieter operation than a chain drive.
PROBLEM: Rusted garage door spring
If you haven’t been maintaining the spring on your garage door, chances are it’s fairly rusted by now. The rust will cause a screeching sound when you operate the door.
SOLUTION: You can attempt to clean the rust using a solvent and brush, followed by a light application of white lithium grease or silicone spray. However, be warned that springs are dangerous and are under heavy pressure. If there’s a significant amount of rust or you’ve had the springs for a long time, consider replacing them instead. If you’re still using extension springs, consider replacing them with torsion springs. Torsion springs offer a much smoother and quieter operation than their extension counterpart.
PROBLEM: Hinges & Rollers
Over time, your garage door rollers and hinges will experience wear and tear. This can lead to excessive noise while operating the door.
SOLUTION: You can replace metal rollers with nylon for a quieter operation. For hinges, try to apply a light coating of lubricant or replace if needed.
PROBLEM: Nuts & Bolts
If your garage door makes a rattling sound when in operation, there’s a good chance that one or more of the nuts or bolts are loose.
Solution: Tighten the nuts & bolts on your garage door. Make sure not to overtighten them as this can lead to further issues.
PROBLEM: It’s still noisy!
Your garage door is comprised of dozens of parts, all with the potential of causing some noise. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to discover which one is causing the problem.
Solution: Talk with a garage door repair company who can help you identify the nature of the problem. While your noisy garage door may only be a minor annoyance right now, it could be a sign that a costly breakdown is nearing.