If your garage door is not working properly, if it shakes or making loud noises, it might need an immediate repair. For many homeowners the garage door is the main way getting into the house making it easier to unload groceries and other items, but mostly it’s a convenient way to get in and out every day with just a push of a button.
If your garage door is noisy it can get very annoying to listen to the creaks and bangs every time you open or close your garage. Because the garage door is a multi-parts system the noise can come from different elements in the system, like perhaps the springs, the opener, or other moving parts like brackets, hinges or rollers. You can try and look for the reasons yourself but in order to find out precisely the cause you will have to call a certified technician to inspect the door and fix the problem for you.
Lubrication
Your garage door is a multi part machine that needs regular maintenance to keep it in a good working condition. Yearly inspections and regular lubricating can definitely help it work quieter and prevent them from rusting. in cold weather areas it is highly recommended to use a silicone based lubricant spray at least twice a year not only to reduce noise but also to prevent them from freezing and to keep the door running smoothly.
Springs
Garage door springs can cause loud noises when they are to old and worn out or if they loses their tension. If the springs are rusty they can squeak when the door moves. Loose springs make loud banging sounds because they struggle to carry the enormous weight of the doors.
To reduce loud noises you can lubricate the springs but if the noise continues it means you need to adjust the tension or even to replace them.
Pulleys
Sometime the reason for a noisy garage door is worn out garage door pulleys. There are two types of pulleys in garage door spring systems:
Riveted Pulley
This type has bearings inside that can wear out over time and when it happens the door may open roughly and put extra strain on the opener which can affect its noise.
Cast Iron Pulley
This one has sealed bearings which not need lubrication and last a very long time.
Rollers
The rollers on your garage door that assist it to run smoothly along the tracks can also be the reason for causing loud noises because over time they also wear out and get stuck or not move evenly. Worn out steel rollers are very loud than plastic rollers, but plastic rollers don’t have bearings and they wear out much quicker. The best option is sealed bearing nylon rollers which are very quiet, last longer and never need lubrication.
Garage Door Opener
If your garage door is barely moving and makes loud noises the problem might be with your garage door opener. Regular lubrication can help it work more quietly. Apply lubricant to the opener’s rail becausr this is where much of the friction occurs. If you own a chain drive opener make sure to spray the chain as well. Silicone based lubricant is the most appropriate and specifically designed for garage door usage but Wd-40 can also do the job.
