Typical Reasons a Garage Door Is Making Odd Sounds
Noisy garage doors can be quite irritating.
Noisy garage doors can be quite irritating. A garage is a fantastic addition to a property, allowing vehicles to be parked safely from the elements and potential theft. Garages are also excellent for storing items like tools and bins. However, listening to grinding and squeaking sounds each time the garage door opens or closes is not ideal. There's no need for neighbors to hear every movement in and out of the garage. Identifying the issue before fixing it is essential. Several possible reasons may cause a garage door to be loud. Here are some plausible causes:
The Door Needs Lubrication
When the door moves, this movement puts the different parts under a lot of pressure. This pressure causes bothersome noises if the door is not properly lubricated. Lack of lubrication creates friction, resulting in noise. Lubrication allows smooth movement. When hinges, rollers, and bearings are not properly lubricated, they produce clatters when the garage door moves. If lubrication is neglected, unnecessary vibration occurs. This vibration results from parts grinding against each other. Garage doors do not need to be lubricated regularly; doing this at least once annually suffices to keep the garage door lubricated. Silicone sprays and white lithium grease are the best lubricants to apply for a garage door to operate smoothly.
Worn-Out Rollers
Garage doors have rollers to facilitate motion. These rollers can be seen on both sides of the door. Rollers work on guide rails to help the door move up and down when opened or closed. This action occurs under pressure and produces friction, which can result in damaged rollers. Rollers are left with damage and uneven edges as they become worn. Damaged rollers do not glide properly over guide rails, generating noise. It is important to note that some rollers make more noise than others, depending on the materials they are made of. Metal rollers are the most common since they are very affordable; however, they are the noisiest. Nylon rollers can be expensive but are quieter than metal ones. Additionally, they do not need lubrication as frequently. So, if a garage door is noisy, the rollers could be the culprit.
Type of Garage Door Opener
There are three types of garage door openers, and chain drive is the noisiest. The three types are screw drive, belt drive, and chain drive. There is a strong possibility that a chain drive is installed since they are the most common because they are economical and quite reliable. Unfortunately, noise is a disadvantage of having this type of garage door operator. As the garage door moves, the impact of the chain against the metal guide rail causes a lot of noise, which worsens as the guide rails wear over time. Upgrading to another type of controller can help avoid all this sound. Belt drive operators produce little vibration, resulting in less noise. Additionally, screw drive operators work on paths lined with plastic that reduces sound.
The Door Is Not Properly Balanced
Sometimes a garage door is noisy because it is not balanced. Garage doors can fall out of their primary position and become crooked. When this happens, it leads to the door becoming loud. It is important to inspect garage doors frequently to make sure they are balanced. One method to check if the door is unbalanced is to lift the emergency cord. If the door is not balanced, it will fall. Seeking professional help is necessary if this occurs.
Loose Parts
A garage door could be noisy when parts are loose. If nuts and bolts are loose, a clattering sound will be heard. The chain and guide rails might also become unlatched and noisy. Simply tightening these components can help reduce noise.
Pinnacle Garage Door and Repair provides custom garage door design, garage door repair, garage door installation, and 24/7 emergency garage door repair throughout the Phoenix metro area and Maricopa County. Emergency service is available. Call us today.
