Why Garage Doors Become Noisy

Silencing a rattling and squeaking garage door is not always easy. You first have to find what causes the loud noise. Then, you have to fix it if you want to keep having a good relationship with the neighbors and avoid the constant headache. But wait a minute! Is that all noisy garage doors do? Unfortunately not! As long as we are talking about noises out of the ordinary, this is an indication of a problem. And if it’s not fixed, you will have a bigger problem than getting the angry looks of your next door family.

Why garage doors get noisy?

By nature (so to say), garage doors are noisy. That’s true especially if you have a chain drive opener with an AC motor. But so far so good! Problems start when the noise becomes too loud and it’s not the usual grinding and squeaking your garage door makes normally.

The most common reasons for garage door noises are:

• Lack of lubrication. Since most parts are made of steel, they make a noise when they come in contact. And that’s bad for their condition too. Not only will they annoy you with the noise, but will also need to be replaced prematurely.
• The noise is also loud when the fasteners are not tightened. From the garage door opener to the cable drums, all parts are secured with screws, bolts, pins, and nuts. When these tiny components are loosen up, the bigger parts start vibrating each time the door moves. And some of them, like the opener safety sensors and the garage door tracks might also fall out of alignment.
• The opener is already noisy, but will make even more noise if the chain is loose or the motor is not maintained.
• Springs make a loud noise too when they start wearing. Their coils get damaged easier and lose their flexibility without lubricants. So they need some maintenance too.
• Garage door tracks and rollers are often responsible for loud noises. Tracks bend or get dented. Since they house the rollers, noises will be produced every time the wheels bump in the dented track sections. So, it’s important to keep tracks clean, well-lubricated and free of any dents. While you are there, check the jamb brackets too since they might get twisted. As for the rollers, they will also make noise if they are damaged or rusty.
• If you have an overhead garage door, keep in mind that the hinges joining the panels can also make a noise. Over time, they get rusty and damaged too. Since they hold the sectional door’s panels together, they allow them to separate when the door moves and rejoin when the door is in its opening or closing position. During this movement, they will make a noise if they are damaged.

So, it all comes down to damaged parts and lack of regularly lubrication maintenance. To avoid noises, you need to check and maintain the door and its parts often. If they are extensively damaged or rusty, they should be replaced or the noise won’t stop.