How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door

The last thing you want is your garage door to be a nuisance to anyone. Its purpose is to provide shelter and protection for your family, vehicle and other assets. When you notice your garage door making noise, you’ll want to get to the bottom of the problem to see what’s causing the unbearable racket before it worsens.

Though you may not be able to fix some parts yourself because of the possible risk of injury, you can always contact a garage door contractor to assist. If you notice anything preventing your normal door movements, it’s best to call a professional to diagnose the issue. 

This article will highlight a few causes of a noisy garage door and what you can do to fix it. Keep in mind that many of these issues can be prevented or addressed through regular maintenance checks. No matter how old or new your garage door is, it’s never too late or too soon to get a tuneup from a professional. 

Lubricate Parts: How to Grease a Garage Door

A garage door has many moving parts that need lubrication to operate efficiently. With regular greasing, you could ease or eliminate the noise. Although you can lubricate most steel parts, be careful not to get grease on nylon or other synthetic materials needed for the door to work. Also, ensure the lubricant you use is safe for garage door part application. Though you may think WD-40 will work as a lubricant, an oil-based penetrating spray is a better option and will ensure your tracks stay dirt-free for longer.

Here’s how to fix a squeaking garage door using lubrication:

1. Identify the parts that need lubrication: Several components are vital for smooth door operation. Check each one to evaluate the need for lubricant. High-use components like hinges and rollers are a great place to start. It’s also a good idea to clean each component before applying lubricant. Adhere to manufacturer recommendations for removing dirt and debris and cleaning frequency.
2. Choose the right type of lubricant: Each type of lubricant offers unique advantages, and the one you choose will impact how your door operates. Oil-based options are great for garage doors because they deliver excellent corrosion resistance and minimize friction-related wear and tear on moving parts. This is often the best lubricant for garage door rollers, hinges and springs. However, white lithium grease is another solid option for some components. This heavy-duty lubricant is ideal for metal-to-metal applications, such as weight-bearing springs.
3. Ensure lubricant effectiveness: Give your door a once-over to identify potential issues. Inspect the door’s balance, check for loose hardware and clean all components. Clean equipment will allow the lubricant to work more effectively through better adhesion, creating a long-lasting solution. Always look for signs of excessive wear or damage, and replace components before applying lubricant to ensure the best possible results. You should also check all seals before application, as gaps can allow moisture in and affect the lubricant’s performance.
4. Apply the lubricant: Apply the right amount of the appropriate lubricant to each component. Avoid applying too much lubricant by using a clean cloth to remove any excess. Test your door several times to ensure the lubricant accesses all moving parts you may not be able to reach manually. In some cases, you may need to add a bit more lubricant to a specific area if you still hear grinding or squeaking. Document the components you lubricate and when, and create a regular schedule to ensure efficient reapplication.

How to Lube a Garage Door and Components

Each garage door component is vital and has unique preventive care requirements. While you should adhere to manufacturer recommendations regarding products, application frequency and lubricant amounts, you can use the following information as a general guide to component lubrication:

• Tracks: The tracks are vital to the garage door’s mobility. You shouldn’t lubricate them directly, though they will likely come into contact with lubrication used for steel rollers. Wiping the tracks with a clean cloth to remove dust and dirt will create optimal conditions for the rollers to glide soundlessly. If you are going to lubricate the tracks, be sure to avoid common household spray lubricants like WD-40 and use a proper garage door lubricant to avoid any residue. 
• Rollers: Garage door rollers fit into the tracks and ensure the door moves smoothly. There are two types of rollers available — steel and nylon. The advantage of nylon rollers is that they are lighter than steel and, therefore, quieter. The drawback is that you can’t lubricate them as you would with steel rollers. If your garage door has steel rollers, occasionally apply a small amount of grease to reduce unwanted noise.
• Springs: Torsion springs are above a garage door, while extension springs are on the sides. You don’t necessarily have to lubricate both types of springs, but you can apply a thin layer of grease on the coils to keep them flexible. The better oiled they are, the less noise the springs will produce.
• Bearing plates: Bearing plates at the end of torsion spring shafts require lubrication to support the spring system and help reduce friction and subsequent noise. Wipe the bearing plates clean before spraying an appropriate lubricant. Spray the product directly onto the bearing where the shaft passes through the plate. Ensure distribution by opening and closing the door a few times. 
• Hinges: Hinges are especially susceptible to wear and tear and need more lubrication than other parts. Well-oiled hinges ensure smooth, silent operation. Always inspect your hinges for excessive wear or damage before applying lubricant. Wipe off any dirt or old lubricant before adding a new layer. Spray a small amount onto the pivot points of each hinge. 
• Locking mechanism: Though the locking mechanism is not part of the garage door’s mechanical structure, you can also lubricate it to reduce noise levels when opening and closing it. Find the handle, latch or keyhole mechanism of your door. Remove any debris or buildup before applying a lubricant. For keyholes, spray a small amount of lubricant inside the straw. For latches, spray moving parts and work the mechanism back and forth to ensure distribution. 

If you can no longer maintain any of the parts listed above with regular greasing, it may be time to replace them. Worn components like rollers, springs and tracks all increase noise levels when they start squeaking and screeching. 

Ensure the Garage Door Is Not Off-Balance

An imbalanced garage door will pressure the opener, rollers, springs and other parts to work harder, creating friction that can be noisy. Here are a few reasons your door may be off-balance and your garage door opener is making noise:

• Improper installation: Shoddy garage door installation can have severe consequences. Professionals use specialized tools to fasten bolts, screws, springs, hinges and other components. You may hear sounds that signal something is wrong — like unusual slapping, creaking and vibrating — when it should open and close smoothly. While the noise element is a factor, safety comes first. The best way to ensure safety and prevent injury and damage is to consult an experienced garage door technician. You will also enjoy a noise-free garage as a result.
• Worn rollers and cables: When rollers experience increased strain because of an uneven garage door, they will wear out quicker or come off the tracks. They will make noise as they struggle to move under the pressure. Replacing the old rollers with new, working ones will solve the noisy garage door problem. The strain also affects cables, which are more prone to breaking because of the increased pressure. A scraping noise could indicate a cable issue, which you should check out immediately. 
• Greater friction: The imbalanced garage door’s heaviness will create friction as the panels and tracks work harder to support the added weight. The door will make a buckling, creaking sound as it moves slowly along the tracks. 
• Heavy vibrations: An unstable garage door tends to be shaky. It vibrates and rattles every time you open and close it. The more the parts shake, the louder the noise will be. 
• Wear and tear: If your garage door is old and has seen daily use for years, the resulting wear and tear can cause it to be off-balance. You will hear grinding and other loud noises during use. In this case, consider the effectiveness of a maintenance checkup to determine the extent of wear and tear damage. 

Check for a Faulty Opener Motor

The type of motor opener that operates your garage door may determine the noise levels you can expect, apart from the motor being faulty or broken. Here are the common types of openers you will find:

• Chain–drive openers: This motor uses a chain to move a trolley to open and close the door. It is popular because it’s durable enough to carry the weight of bulky, cumbersome doors. One notable drawback is that this type is a noisy garage door opener because of the consistent metal-to-metal contact while in use. Loose chains are often the cause of slapping sounds in this style of opener. 
• Belt-drive openers: Instead of a chain, this opener uses a belt in the same way to control the door. Noise is minimal with this opener since the rubber belt inhibits noise. The belt is also easier on the internal parts, resulting in less maintenance.
• Screw-drive openers: These devices use a motorized steel rod to open and close the garage door. They have fewer moving parts than other garage door openers, but still tend to be noisier and require more maintenance.
• Jackshaft openers: This opener is on the side instead of overhead. A motor turns the shaft that allows the torsion spring to control the garage door. It is also not a noisy garage door motor. 

Knowing which type of opener you have helps you understand why your door might be inherently louder or quieter. Various sounds can help you identify a faulty motor:

• Clicking: An electrical issue within your motor may be causing it to make a clicking or popping sound, so it’s best to have it checked out professionally. 
• Rattling: Any time you hear rattling within a part like a motor, you can safely assume an internal component is loose or broken. You might have to disassemble the motor to inspect it.
• Shaking: Vibrations and shaking are common in motors that are misaligned or nearing the end of their life. 
• Grinding: A grinding or buzzing sound could indicate that the gears in your opener are worn down or damaged. Immediately call a reputable garage door contractor to attend to this issue.
• Humming: This noise may sound like your opener is straining to work. It may result in laggy performance from a worn-out motor. Ideally, you should have it replaced at this point. 

Let Quality Door Company Inspect Your Garage Door Components

Though you can inspect your garage door based on the noises you’ve identified, DIY garage door repairs are extremely risky. Quality Door Company hires experienced, talented technicians who know what to look for and what to do to restore your door with no hindering noises. 

When you call us, we will gladly discuss your garage door noise issues with you. If you would like any other services or an estimate, fill out our contact form and we will get back to you promptly.