Rated Why Is My Garage Door Noisy?
When your garage door is noisy, it’s not only a nuisance to you, but to the entire neighborhood. Grinding and whining sounds of a noisy garage door can resonate blocks and is never a pleasant start to the morning or close to the day. Luckily, we can help. Our team works hard to ensure that all residents in the DFW, Austin, and Houston areas have access to certified garage door technicians who can resolve issues like a noisy garage door. With over 39 years of experience under our belts, we know the common issues that may be causing your garage door to make such grating noises. Here are reasons why your garage door is noisy and how to fix it.
Your Garage Door Was Installed Improperly
Garage doors are intricate pieces of modern machinery that need to be installed with care. One misaligned part, or the usage of low-quality systems, can cause grinding, rattling, or squealing sounds when you open and close your garage door. Not only is the sound horrific, but garage doors that were not installed properly also have a higher risk of developing detrimental issues that can lead to their failure.
What Are Common Signs of an Improperly Installed Garage Door?
There are a few things you can listen out for and observe when you get a new garage door installed. The following noises can tip you off that something isn’t quite right and you need to call a reputable garage door repair specialist to resolve the problem:
- Grinding or rattling sounds are a sign of improper alignment of the garage door.
- Slapping sounds indicate a chain is loose.
- Vibrating, rumbling, or intense rattling can be caused by loose nuts and bolts.
- Response delays or the garage door looking misaligned when opening or closing can be caused by an issue with the pulley system or other moving garage door parts, such as the track being installed incorrectly.
If you just invested in a new garage door and hear any of these issues, contact a garage door repair specialist immediately. Not only are these issues a warning sign that something isn’t quite right, but ignoring the problem can lead to significant damage to the door, springs, or entire system. Replacing these parts will be costly so it is important to handle the issue when the first signs, or in this case sounds, occur.
The Rollers Are Worn Out
The rollers on your garage door will wear down over time. This increases the chances of the garage door moving out of alignment or slipping off the tracks. This issue is very noticeable as it causes a squeaking, screeching, or vibrating sound. In some cases, you may just need to apply more lubricant to the rollers. However, if the problem continues to persist even after applying lubricant, you may need to replace the rollers. Here’s a rundown on the different types of rollers available today:
- Plastic rollers: These are the cheapest option and work without ball bearings. However, they need to be replaced about every two years, as they tend to wear down quicker than the other roller options.
- Steel rollers: These are known for their longer lifespan. However, they do need a bit more maintenance, as they are susceptible to rust and corrosion.
- Nylon rollers: Nylon rollers are more expensive, but they are well known for their quiet operation and hardiness.
How Do I Care for My Garage Door Rollers?
The easiest way to tell if garage door rollers need replacement is by lubricating them first. Rust buildup on steel rollers can be removed by lubrication. Both steel and nylon rollers should be lubricated twice a year to ensure continued healthy operation.
If the problem isn’t resolved after lubrication, contact your trusted garage door repair specialist to replace your garage door rollers. During this service, the repair technicians should also do a door alignment to help ease the strain placed on the rollers as they move.
Your Garage Door’s Moving Parts Need to Be Lubricated
As mentioned earlier, during your bi-annual garage door maintenance, you should be lubricating all moving parts. These parts include the following:
- Rollers and hinges
- Springs and bearing plates
- The armbar and top rail
- The door’s lock
When a garage door’s moving parts are not properly lubricated you will often find rust and corrosion that causes these parts to squeak, grind, clink, or rattle when in use. Always make sure to use a high-quality brand of lubricant or grease to ensure that it lasts longer. Our team recommends using a silicone spray or white lithium grease.
When lubricating your garage door, it is important to turn off the power supply, vacuum, and wipe down the tracks. Making sure the surfaces of these parts are clean will allow the lubricant to spread more evenly.
Your Garage Door Is Off Balance
If your garage door is making a loud scraping sound every time it opens and closes, it could be off balance. This sound is caused by the door scraping against your home.
If there is a banging noise, this means the garage door has come off the track. And if this is then accompanied by popping sounds, it indicates that the springs have snapped. In this case, CONTACT YOUR GARAGE DOOR REPAIR SPECIALIST IMMEDIATELY. Snapped garage door springs are extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to replace or repair the springs by yourself. Doing so without the proper knowledge and training can lead to serious injuries, and in the worst cases, death.
What Are the Signs of an Off-Balanced Garage Door?
Common signs of an off-balance garage door are as follows:
- The garage door looks uneven.
- The garage door closes after being manually opened.
- The garage door will not open.
- The garage door has a slow response time when being asked to open or close.
What Causes a Garage Door to Get Off Balance?
Garage doors can become unbalanced due to the following issues:
Damaged springs: Over time, garage door springs suffer from aging or loosening from continued use. This causes one side of the garage door to move slower than the other side, which throws the other side off balance. If your garage door has broken torsion springs, it can result in it falling quickly and coming off its track.
Damaged belt or chain drive: Damaged belt or chain drives may cause the garage door to shake as it rises. Belt drives also have the potential to slip in extreme heat or cold temperatures.
Weight issues: When a garage door is installed, it is balanced to the weight of itself. If you add something to the garage door, such as decorations, it can become unbalanced. You’ll want a garage door technician to check its balance if you do this.
Impact damage: Backing into your own garage door because you thought it was open is not uncommon. If the door has been damaged due to the impact of a car or other debris hitting it, the balance can be thrown off.
How to Test If Your Garage Door Is Off Balance?
If you believe your garage door is unbalanced, you can check it by doing the following:
- Turn off the power supply to your garage door.
- Lift the door and slowly release it.
- If the garage door slips from its position or slams hard on the ground, it is most likely unbalanced.
If this seems like the case for you, contact your garage door repair specialist right away. Again, do not attempt to handle the repairs or rebalance it yourself. Messing with the garage door or its springs without the proper training can lead to serious injuries, such as lacerations, or even death.
There is an Issue With Your Garage Door Opener
Garage door openers are an essential part of the garage door system. They allow users to quickly and reliably open and close the garage door with just a push of a button.
If you notice a straining, grinding, or buzzing sound when using your garage door opener, it may be near the end of its lifespan.
Other common signs of a failing garage door opener include:
- The garage door fails to open.
- The opener makes excessive noise when used.
- The garage door moves very slowly.
When your garage door opener fails, it is time to upgrade your model. Newer technology offers incredible advancements such as a remote operation that works with your phone, keypads, backup batteries, and stronger safety features. Ask your trusted professionals at Action Garage Door Repair Specialists what type of garage door opener would work best for your home’s needs.
Don’t Disturb Your Neighbors With a Loud Garage Door
Instead of cringing every time you open and close your garage door, contact your trusted garage door repair specialists at Action Garage Door. Our team is more than happy to help you with all of your garage door repairs, installation, and maintenance.
All our technicians are certified and our employees have undergone extensive training so they can identify and repair any issues a garage door has. Whether that means replacing damaged garage door springs, installing a new garage door opener, or rebalancing your garage door, you can rest assured that our team has you covered. Call us today for more information on our garage door services or to schedule an appointment.
