It is wise to always keep your garage in the best condition. You have to ensure your garage door is inspected from time to time. The garage door is an important part of this storage room. Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home and should be inspected occasionally to make sure it is in tip-top condition.
There are several problems with garage doors. One frequent problem is a noisy garage door. A noisy garage door can be caused by the many springs, cables, pulleys and other components that make the opening and closing garage system work.
A noisy garage door can be a problem that even your neighbours are pissed off with. The noise may also be so loud that it even wakes your family members when you open or close it. The good news is that this is a problem that can be easily fixed.
You can do it yourself or seek the services of professionals in the market. If you have been trying to fix your noisy garage door in vain, here are some tips to guide you;
1. Tighten all loose nuts and bolts
Bolts and nuts are used to hold garage doors in place. The frequent opening and closing of garage door cause vibrations and these vibrations can loosen the nuts and bolts after a period of time. You need to use a socket wrench to tighten those wobbly nuts on the track system and the opener chain.
Inspect all the nuts and bolts and ascertain whether they are loose or not. Then go on and use the right tools to tighten these nuts and bolts, but ensure you don’t overtighten them. You should be cautious as you tighten these bolts and nuts as overtightening them will make it hard to open or close the garage door.
2. Lubricate all the moving parts
As time passes, your garage door will get old, and this will cause the door to start wearing out. This effect is known to cause a loud screeching and grinding noise, when you open or close your garage door. You need to take time and inspect your door hinges and determine whether there are any signs of cracks. If you notice that your door is ageing, it is wise to lubricate all the moving parts of the door.
All the moving parts of your garage door need to be maintained to their tip-top condition. This is possible through regular lubrication that helps reduce friction between these moving parts of the door. You need to carefully lubricate the inside of the door track, around the hinges and the rollers. However, you have to make sure that you use the right lubricant.
Don’t make the same mistake many inexperienced garage owners make by using poor quality lubricants. It is advisable to opt for quality silicone or lithium spray that will provide your garage door thicker coating, and one that will last longer. Essentially, shun oil-repellent sprays that are low in quality and will not reduce the persistent noisy garage door problem.
3. Upgrade or replace your rollers
Rollers are an important part of your garage door, and you should replace them immediately if you realize that they are the main source of the noise. Your garage door will require a dozen of rollers, especially if you own a five-section garage door. You should be considerate as your upgrade your garage doors.
It is wise to opt for nylon rollers instead of metal rollers as they are quieter and you don’t need to regularly lubricate them. Nylon rollers are also high quality, and will cost more but you should not be discouraged by their high cost.
Nylon rollers also come with sealed bearings that easily keep dirt and soil away. It is not easy to replace bottom rollers as they are always under tension, and if you fix them without proper equipment or expertise can be more hazardous.
4. Inspect and fix garage door hinges
Hinges hold together your garage door and make it easy to open and close. You should at all times make sure the hinges are working properly, and in the best condition. If you inspect your hinges and find out that they are wearing out, its time to replace them. Lubrication will also reduce any friction and get rid of the disturbing noise.
You should also replace your garage door hinges, if you realize they have cracks for safety purposes as well as for noise reduction.
5. Inspect your garage door opener
Many garage owners will always speculate that the noise emanates from the rollers or hinges. However, door openers can also cause a loud racket. The noise may be as a result of a door motor that has worn out and needs a new replacement.
You need to cautiously inspect the rail system on the door opener. If your door uses a metal chain, you need to inspect it and check whether it needs immediate lubrication to prevent it from rattling against the door rail when it opens.
You can invest in a door opener with a belt-drive operator, as it does not make noise when you open or close the garage door. Replace your old garage door with a belt-driven design that works as expected.
6. Replace garage door locks
The noisy garage door problem may be as a result of misalignment of the locking bars. You can easily fix the problem by checking and readjusting the garage door locking system. Start by looking at how the lock bar hits the garage door track.
If the lock is not properly installed or looks loose and produces noise in the process, you should consider tightening the bolts and the screws and ensure you align them properly. If you notice that your garage door locks are damaged, waste no time. You need to get new ones and replace the ageing and wearing out locks. You also need to seek professional help, and fix the lock problem and reduce unnecessary noise.
7. Check the garage door springs
If you notice your garage door is hitting the floor too hard when you open it or closing, its time to check and repair the springs. The springs may be worn-out and old, and you need to replace them. If it is not the first time to replace your springs, you can use the right tools and your experience to do the spring work.
If you cannot do it yourself, you can seek professional help. For your springs to operate exceptionally well, you need to lubricate them regularly and undertake routine garage door maintenance.
8. Replace damaged rubber insulation strip
The insulation strip is usually located at the bottom of the garage door. This strip helps the garage door to close properly without making any unnecessary noise. When you notice your garage door insulation strip is missing or worn-out, you should replace it immediately with a new one.
The rubber insulation on the door acts as shock absorber and ensures the door closes or opens quietly and properly. The rubber insulation also prevents the door from banging when forcefully closed. There is an affordable rubber insulation strip that you can purchase that is designed specifically for garage doors.
9. Always undertake regular maintenance
You should not wait until your garage door starts making loud or screeching noise before you can fix it. Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your garage door in the best condition. You can lubricate and clean every part of the garage door that needs cleaning. You can master this routine if you keep doing it yourself. All you need is quality lubricants and the right maintenance tools.
10. Call a professional
You should not assume your noisy garage door. Most garage door problems can be fixed without much hassle. Sometimes, the garage door problem may be demanding, and it is wise to seek professional assistance. You may require professional assistance to fix or replace torsion springs and bearings.
Besides fixing the garage door problem at hand, the professional you are dealing with will also give you crucial advice on how to maintain or keep your garage door in tip-top condition. It might be a bit expensive to deal with a professional but it pays off by the end of the day. In fact, you will be able to fix the noise problem once and for all or learn how to prevent similar future noise problems.
Don’t just opt for any individual who says can fix garage noise problem. Conduct thorough research, seek recommendation, and make sure you are dealing with an experienced, trained and licensed professional.
The Bottom Line
You should at all times keep your garage in the best condition. If you invest in a garage, you should also ensure every part of the garage is properly maintained. A noisy garage door can be a disruption, especially if you use the garage on a daily basis. The good news is that if your garage door is closing and opening properly, this should no longer be a major issue.
You just need to get the right tools, lubricants and fix the common garage door problems that cause this noise. If stuck, don’t hesitate to contact us at Rollaway Garage Doors for the best garage door repair and replacement services.
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