While a noisy garage door can be unpleasant for your senses, it can also signal that something is wrong that needs to be fixed. Your garage door plays an important role in your safety, security, and home’s energy efficiency. If you can fix a noisy garage door as soon as it first appears, you will likely extend the lifespan of your system.
Check the Lubrication
Garage doors consist of many moving parts made of metal, including rollers, hinges, springs, and tracks. When these components move against each other, they need enough lubrication to avoid excessive friction. You will often hear loud scraping and screeching noises if there is inadequate lubrication.
Specifically, when your garage door rollers do not have enough lubrication, the friction between them and the track can cause a loud, rumbling noise. If left unattended for an extended period, this process can wear down the rollers, leading to even louder noises.
Rolling garage doors have several hinges that allow the door panels to bend while the door moves up or down. You could hear a creaking or squeaking sound if these hinges are not lubricated. This is more pronounced during the cold winter when metal contracts and stiffens.
Worn-Out Garage Door Rollers
The rollers that guide the garage door along the tracks are a common source of unusual noises. Over time, these rollers wear down from everyday use, causing the door to glide roughly along the tracks. When the rollers become worn, damaged, or misaligned, they are more likely to create loud noises, including rumbling and screeching. Flat spots on metal rollers can cause the wheels to skip, producing a large banging sound when traveling along the tracks. If your rollers have ball bearings, they can break or get damaged, making it more difficult for the wheels to roll along the track. This is often accompanied by rattling or grinding sounds.
Look for Loose Hardware
Many pieces of hardware secure the components of a garage door system. These include brackets, tracks, hinges, screws, and bolts. Eventually, the vibration of the garage door system can cause these components to loosen but remain in place. If they become loose, the garage door can produce rattling or banging noises when being used.
Loose tracks are a common component that can become loose through everyday daily use. These tracks are secured to the wall and ceiling with bolts. If the bolts become loose, the track can sway while the garage door is being lifted or set down. A swaying track system can cause the rollers to scrape against the tracks, and if the movement is large enough, the garage door can also scrape the tracks.
The garage door opener is also secured to the ceiling using brackets and bolts. During operation, the motor inside the door opener commonly vibrates and rattles. This can cause the brackets and bolts to loosen, which can lead to additional noise when opening or closing the garage door.
Misaligned Tracks
The tracks of a garage door system are a simple but essential component. They must be perfectly aligned for your garage door to move smoothly up and down. If these tracks are slightly off, your garage door can scrape against them, causing loud screeching and grinding noises. Misaligned tracks can also damage your garage door and force you to replace it much sooner than necessary. This can be a significant investment, easily avoidable by ensuring your tracks remain properly aligned.
Damaged Springs
An often overlooked component of a garage door system is its springs. These valuable pieces balance the door’s weight, making it easier to open and close. However, all of the springs of a garage door system are under intense tension and can become damaged over time. When this damage occurs, you can hear banging, popping, or squeaking noises. Damaged springs can also make it harder to lift your garage door, placing greater strain on the motor and other components.
Excessive use, rust, corrosion, and physical damage, such as impacts from vehicles or dropped items, can damage your garage door springs. Inspect these features when you hire someone to do your garage door maintenance, as it is easy to overlook the springs, but they are a vital component.
Motor Issues
The garage door motor provides the power to lift and lower your garage door. When this component experiences issues, you are more likely to experience increased noise levels when operating your garage door. The increased noise can come from the motor or different garage door system components.
The internal components of the motor are susceptible to normal wear and tear and can lead to loud noises when it is running. When there is an issue with the internal components, your motor can struggle to operate effectively. This can then cause other issues with your garage door system, including increased wear on rollers, additional strain on springs, and a misalignment of the tracks.
Dirt and Debris in the Tracks
Not only do your garage door tracks need to be adequately lubricated, but they also need to be clear of dirt and debris. Dirt, leaves, and other debris commonly get caught in the tracks and disrupt the performance of your garage door system. These obstructions can increase the friction needed for the rollers to move along the tracks, making it harder for the door to open and close and adding more strain to the motor. The presence of debris can also cause grinding and scraping sounds as the rollers move over it. If you hear these noises but don’t notice the garage door is scraping along the tracks, something is most likely stuck in the tracks.
Door Balance Issues
A garage door needs proper balance to operate smoothly. When the weight of a garage door is balanced evenly across the entire door, your system will have an easier time lifting and lowering the door. However, if this balance gets upset, you could experience loud noises when operating your system.
An unevenly balanced garage door can cause the tracks to become misaligned, causing scraping and banging noises. It can also cause the springs to wear out faster and damage the door rollers. Proper installation and regular maintenance are required to ensure your garage door remains in perfect balance to avoid throwing off your entire system.
Avoid Garage Door Issues With Regular Maintenance
A garage door is an important home feature often overlooked until a problem occurs. While the loud noises that usually accompany a garage door issue are unpleasant, it is possible to avoid them through regular maintenance. At Lewis Door Service, we have served the Louisville, KY community for over 50 years by helping homeowners maintain their garage doors with our services. We know how important a garage door is to your home’s comfort, security, and curb appeal. We are an authorized dealer of LiftMaster and offer access to the latest and most advanced parts in the industry. If you are experiencing a noisy garage door, call Lewis Door Service today so we can come out and fix the issue. Our garage door repair services are second to none!
