A noisy garage door that makes squeaking, crunching, or grinding noises when it operates is seriously annoying for you and for your neighbours. But, more importantly, these noises could be a sign that your garage door needs maintenance.

If you don’t figure out the source of the noise and fix it promptly, you could risk damaging your garage door, as well as the possibility of it stopping working completely further down the line.

To avoid the inconvenience and expense of a broken garage door, make sure you investigate any excessive noise before it leads to permanent damage.

Causes of a Noisy Garage Door

Garage doors can have complex mechanisms and a lot of moving parts, but it also may be something small that’s causing the noise.

Most noise is caused by excess vibration, which usually means a part in the mechanism has become loose, worn, or is insufficiently lubricated. It’s common for parts to loosen themselves or wear down over time, and this is usually a quick and easy fix.

If the track of your door has become bent, or is blocked in some way with dirt or debris, this means that the door can’t move freely on the tracks and may be noisy when you open or close it.

Finally, an unbalanced door puts excess pressure on the tracks, which can cause them to creak. An unbalanced door is not only more difficult and noisier to operate, but will also wear out prematurely.

DIY Solutions

A thorough investigation is the first step in working out why your garage door is squeaking or groaning. Before you start, make sure your garage is well lit and that you’ve disconnected your door from the power source if it has an electric mechanism.

1. Check the tracks for dirt and blockages

Make sure there are no small rocks or other debris blocking the tracks. At this time you should also check the tracks are straight and undamaged.

Use a brush to clear out any larger debris and wipe down with a damp cloth.

2. Check and oil all moving parts

Insufficient lubrication is the most common cause of a squeaky door, and it’s the same for garage doors. Start by oiling all moving parts including hinges, chains, and rollers, but don’t oil the tracks as this attracts dirt. Make sure to use a lubricant designed for garage doors, which will also help to prevent rust.

As you’re doing this, make sure all nuts and bolts are snug and tighten them if necessary. Check the rollers too – if they’re sliding rather than rolling, this is a sign that they need replacement.

If you’re confident replacing rollers and small parts such as small hinges yourself, you can go ahead and change them. Replacing old metal rollers with nylon rollers can help cut down on noise, and they’re easier to maintain too.

3. Check the balance of your door

Open your garage door (release it from the automatic opener first if necessary) and leave it halfway open. Stand back and check if it seems to be leaning to one side or if one side is lower to the ground. If so, it needs rebalancing.

4. Check the rubber strip on the bottom of the door

Most garage doors have a rubber strip for insulation on the bottom. This strip perishes and becomes worn over time, which can make your door crash loudly to the ground when it closes.

If there are any signs of wear, you can easily replace this strip with a new one.

When to Call in the Professionals

While replacing hinges and rollers is a relatively simple job for those who are used to DIY, you should not attempt to replace rollers on a door that uses torsion springs. This is a difficult job that can lead to serious injury, and needs expert attention. If you’re unsure, it’s best to call in a professional to check.

Garage door rebalancing needs a professional, as it’s usually an indication that there’s a problem with the spring or opener. If your garage door is quite old, this might also be a sign that it’s time for a replacement.

If your garage door tracks are bent, or the door is jumping out of the track, this is also a job for the professionals.

Remember, your garage door needs regular care and maintenance to keep it working optimally. If you can’t figure out the cause of your noisy garage door, or you don’t feel confident in trying to fix it, get in touch with the team at Pinnacle Garage Doors.

We have the skills and years of experience in servicing and fixing garage doors in the Perth area, and no job is too big or too small for us to deal with. If you need help with your noisy garage door, give us a call today on (08) 6161 5665.