Noisy Garage Door
Noisy Garage Door: Causes and Solutions with Fix-It Garage Door Repair
A noisy garage door can be more than just a nuisance—it can be a sign of underlying issues that, if left unchecked, could lead to expensive repairs or even a complete breakdown.
If your garage door is making grinding noises, squeaking, or creaking when opening or closing, it’s important to address the problem as soon as possible.
As a garage door repair expert, we often hear complaints about squeaky garage door rollers, loud noises during operation, and motors that seem to be struggling. Help is at hand as we can fix or reduce most noises on your garage door. It should be noted though garage doors are inherently noisy.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the common causes of a noisy garage door and how to fix them, including the importance of spring tension adjustments, lubrication, and motor maintenance.
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Common Causes of a Noisy Garage Door
A noisy garage door can result from several factors, ranging from simple issues like a lack of lubrication to more serious mechanical problems. Here are some of the most common causes of a squeaky garage door or a garage door making grinding noise and not opening smoothly.
1. Lack of Lubrication
One of the most common causes of a squeaky garage door is a lack of proper lubrication. The moving parts of your garage door, including the rollers, tracks, springs, and hinges, need regular lubrication to ensure smooth operation. Without it, metal components rub against each other, creating friction, which results in squeaking, creaking, and grinding noises.
How to Fix: Lubricating these parts with a high-quality garage door lubricant will help reduce friction and eliminate squeaks. Pay special attention to squeaky garage door rollers, hinges, and the torsion spring. Regular maintenance can prevent excessive wear and extend the life of your door. (We use WD-40 or silicon for hinges, rollers, chain drives and WD-40 white Lithium grease for the torsion springs and chain drive depending on the age and requirements and location). With coastal properties, we use more lithium grease as it lasts longer. DO NOT LUBRICATE TRACKS.
2. Worn-Out Rollers
If your garage door is making a grinding noise, it could be due to worn-out rollers. Rollers guide the door along the tracks as it opens and closes, and when they wear down, they can cause the door to make loud noises during operation. Squeaky garage door rollers are a common sign that the rollers are either worn out or need lubrication.
How to Fix: Rollers should be inspected regularly for wear and tear. If you notice any flat spots, cracks, or excessive noise, it’s time to replace them with new rollers. This simple fix can make a significant difference in the smoothness and quietness of your garage door.
3. Loose or Damaged Parts
Loose hardware, such as bolts, screws, or hinges, can cause your garage door to rattle and make noise. Over time, the vibrations from daily use can loosen these parts, leading to noisy operation. Additionally, bent or broken hinges can result in grinding or creaking sounds.
How to Fix: Regularly inspect and tighten all the hardware on your garage door, including the hinges, bolts, and brackets. If any parts are damaged or worn out, they should be replaced promptly to avoid further noise and prevent the door from becoming misaligned.
4. Imbalanced or Worn-Out Springs
Garage door springs play a crucial role in balancing the weight of the door, helping it open and close smoothly. Over time, the tension in these springs can weaken, causing the door to become unbalanced. If the spring tension has never been tightened, it loses strength, and the springs no longer turn the torsion pole effectively. As a result, the cables are not pulling the door from the bottom, which forces the motor to pull from the top panel. This imbalance can cause the garage door to make loud noise when closing or opening and may even lead to bending of the top panel, creating additional noise.
How to Fix It: Spring tension should be adjusted annually to ensure the door is properly balanced. This adjustment should only be performed by a professional, as garage door springs are under high tension and can be dangerous to work with. A professional adjustment will help prevent excess strain on the motor and keep the door operating smoothly.
5. Noisy Garage Door Opener
A noisy garage door opener can also be the culprit behind a loud or grinding garage door. The opener’s chain, belt, or motor components can wear down over time, leading to noise. Additionally, if the opener is working harder than it should because the door isn’t balanced, this can cause the motor to make grinding or rattling sounds.
How to Fix It: If your garage door sounds loud and the opener is making noise, inspect the opener for worn parts. Chain-driven openers tend to be noisier, while belt-driven openers offer quieter operation. Lubricating the chain or belt and tightening any loose components can help reduce the noise. In some cases, upgrading to a quieter opener may be the best solution.
6. Misaligned Tracks
If the garage door tracks become misaligned, the rollers can grind against the metal, causing loud grinding or screeching noises. This misalignment can occur over time or be caused by an impact, such as hitting the door with your car. When the rollers don’t run smoothly within the tracks, the door can get stuck or move unevenly, making the garage door creak or groan during operation.
How to Fix: Track alignment is critical for smooth operation. If your garage door is making grinding noise and not opening properly, it’s essential to have the tracks inspected and adjusted by a professional. A misaligned track can damage the rollers and cause the door to come off its tracks, so this issue should be addressed as soon as possible.
7. Worn Cables and Bending Panels
As garage door cables wear down, they can cause the door to operate noisily, especially if they’re not pulling the door evenly from the bottom. This imbalance puts excess strain on the top panel, leading to bending or warping, which creates additional noise when the door opens and closes. A garage door that makes loud noise when opening and closing may have worn-out cables that need replacement.
How to Fix: Replacing worn cables and adjusting the spring tension can restore balance to the door and eliminate the noise. If the top panel has already started to bend, you may need to replace the panel or have it reinforced to prevent further damage.
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The Importance of Spring Tension Adjustment
One often overlooked cause of a noisy garage door is improper spring tension. As garage door springs lose tension over time, the door becomes unbalanced, which puts strain on the motor and other components. This imbalance can cause the door to make loud noises during operation and may even lead to damage if not addressed.
1. How Spring Tension Affects Noise
When the spring tension is not properly adjusted, the springs don’t turn the torsion pole correctly, which means the cables are not pulling the door from the bottom. As a result, the motor has to pull from the top, causing the top panel to bend or warp over time. (Resulting in a top panel replacement) This imbalance creates additional noise and can shorten the lifespan of the motor and the door itself.
2. Why Annual Adjustment is Necessary
Spring tension should be adjusted annually to maintain proper balance and reduce noise. This adjustment ensures that the door is evenly supported and that the motor doesn’t have to work harder than necessary. Regular maintenance and tension adjustments not only reduce noise but also extend the life of your garage door system.
4 Steps to Fix Your Garage Door!
Professional assessment
We begin by asking you a series of simple questions to determine the issue with your noisy garage door. This helps us quickly identify whether it's a minor fix/replacement or something more complex.
Competitive rates
Once we understand the problem, we provide you with a detailed over the phone quote that outlines the exact price to repair your garage door. We offer a 90 day warranty on labour.
Guaranteed satisfaction
After you approve the quote, we’ll arrange a convenient time for our technician to visit your home. We work around your schedule to ensure minimal disruption.
We warrant all labour
Our qualified technician will come to your location and either repair or replace the broken or noisy part.
Preventing a Noisy Garage Door
To keep your garage door operating smoothly and quietly, regular maintenance is key.
Here are some tips to help prevent noise issues:
- Lubricate moving parts: Keep the rollers, hinges, tracks, and springs well-lubricated to reduce friction and prevent squeaking or grinding.
- Tighten loose hardware: Check for loose bolts, screws, and hinges regularly, and tighten them to prevent rattling and other noises.
- Adjust spring tension annually: Have a professional adjust the spring tension each year to keep the door balanced and reduce strain on the motor.
- Inspect and replace worn rollers and cables: Worn rollers and frayed cables should be replaced promptly to prevent further damage and noise.
- Consider upgrading your opener: If your garage door opener is old or noisy, consider upgrading to a quieter model, such as a belt-driven opener.
Why Choose Fix-It Garage Door Repair?
While DIY repairs can save money, certain garage door issues—especially involving springs—can be dangerous to fix or attempt fixing yourself. If you’re not comfortable or confident in performing repairs, it’s best to hire a professional garage door repair service in Perth.
Licensed and Professional Garage Door Fix-It Experts You Can Trust
When you book with us, you’re booking a fully licensed and qualified technician who will provide you with a fixed service time for your garage door repair, so you can plan your day with ease.
Our head technician is a Licenced Electrician!
Our technicians arrive with vans fully stocked with high-quality tools and parts, ensuring we implement the best possible solution for your garage door problem.
We also offer free quotes with no call-out fees or hourly rates. If no work is required, there will be no charge!
A noisy garage door can be caused by a variety of issues, from squeaky rollers to imbalanced springs or worn-out parts. Addressing the underlying problem not only eliminates the noise but also prevents further damage to your door. Whether your garage door is making grinding noise and not opening, or you’re dealing with a squeaky garage door, Fix-It Garage Door Repairs here to help. Our experienced technicians can diagnose and fix the issue, ensuring your door operates smoothly and quietly.
Experienced Technicians
Our team is made up of highly trained professionals with years of experience in garage door repair. We know how to identify and fix even the most complicated issues.
High Quality Parts
We only use the best quality parts for all of our repairs, including genuine manufactured parts where possible. This ensures that your garage door will continue to function properly for years to come.
Fast and Reliable Service
We understand that a broken garage door can be a major inconvenience. That’s why we offer fast and reliable service to get your door back in working order as quickly as possible.
Affordable Pricing
We confirm pricing before we show up by going through over the phone what the problem is.
Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed
Garage door springs are under high tension and can cause serious injury if handled improperly. Professionals have the tools and training to handle these repairs safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my garage door make loud noise when closing?
Loud noises when closing can be caused by misaligned tracks, worn rollers, or unbalanced springs. Regular maintenance, including lubrication and spring adjustments, can help reduce the noise and improve operation.
How can I fix my squeaky garage door?
A squeaky garage door is usually caused by a lack of lubrication on the rollers, hinges, or tracks. Lubricating these parts can reduce friction and eliminate the squeaking. If the noise persists, it may be time to replace worn rollers or other components.
Why does my garage door sound loud when opening and closing?
If your garage door sounds loud during operation, it could be due to worn-out rollers, loose hardware, or improper spring tension. A professional inspection and maintenance can identify the cause and restore quiet, smooth operation.
How much will it cost to fix the noise on my garage door?
If you just need a basic service, our costs start from $155, but if we need to use special lithium greece or tighten the springs, the costs will go up. The average noisy door is repaired for around $175 to $225.
For all your noisy garage door issues, including squeaky garage door fixes, noisy openers, and grinding noises, trust Fix-It Garage Door Repair to provide fast and reliable solutions. Contact us today for expert garage door repair and maintenance services!
