Could Your Garage Door Be Making Strange Noises?
If you’ve been hearing unusual noises coming from your garage door, then you’re not alone. It’s a common issue for homeowners, as the garage door is one of the most complex systems in a house. Unfortunately, these strange noises could be an indicator that something is wrong with the garage door, and it’s important to address the issue before it leads to bigger problems. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the potential causes of strange noises coming from your garage door and what you can do to fix them.
1) Why Do Garage Doors Make Noise?
Garage doors are complex pieces of machinery, and they can make all kinds of strange noises as they open and close. The noise usually comes from the tracks, rollers, springs, and hinges that help the door move. It’s a normal part of the garage door system and it shouldn’t cause any alarm.
However, sometimes the noises are louder than normal or more frequent, which could indicate a problem. If your garage door is making unusual noises, it’s important to investigate and see what’s causing them. There could be several different factors at play that are causing the noise.
The most common cause is improper lubrication or lack of lubrication. If the moving parts of your garage door aren’t properly lubricated with a silicon-based lubricant, it will cause friction and increased wear on those parts. This can create a lot of noise when the door moves up and down.
In addition to improper lubrication, other causes of noise can include worn rollers, broken springs, bent tracks, and loose parts. Even if everything looks okay on the outside, something could be wrong on the inside. Regular inspection and maintenance can help prevent some of these issues from occurring in the first place.
Sometimes, the issue is simply age. An older garage door may start to creak and groan as it moves up and down because it’s been through years of wear and tear. In this case, you may want to consider replacing your garage door with a newer model for a quieter experience.
No matter what’s causing your garage door to make noise, it’s important to investigate the issue right away. Unusual noises can indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed before it leads to more serious damage.
2) What Kind of Noise Is Your Garage Door Making?
Noise coming from your garage door can range from a light clicking sound to a loud banging or scraping noise. Generally, it’s helpful to divide the noises into two categories: mechanical noises and electrical noises.
Mechanical noises are typically caused by a worn out part such as rollers, hinges, tracks, or pulleys. These sounds are usually metallic and may sound like clicking, grinding, rattling, or banging.
Electrical noises can be caused by a defective motor, broken belt, or worn-out drive system. Common electrical noises include buzzing, humming, screeching, and whirring.
It is important to be able to identify the type of noise in order to know how to properly fix it. If you are unable to accurately identify the source of the noise, it is recommended that you call a professional. A professional will be able to inspect the door and determine what is causing the noise.
3) How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door
It can be annoying to hear strange noises coming from your garage door, but thankfully there are some simple fixes you can try before calling a professional. Here are some tips for fixing a noisy garage door:
- Check the Rollers and Tracks – The first thing you should do is check the rollers and tracks for any debris that could be causing the noise. Dirt and grime can accumulate over time and affect the movement of the door. Clean the tracks and rollers with a rag or a brush and inspect for any cracks or other damage.
- Lubricate Moving Parts – Make sure to lubricate all the moving parts of your garage door, including the rollers, hinges, springs, and other components. Use a silicone-based lubricant to keep things running smoothly and reduce the chances of any grinding or screeching noises.
- Adjust the Springs – If you have an extension spring system on your garage door, it could be causing some of the noise. To fix this, you’ll need to adjust the tension on the springs by adding additional turns to the spring. If you have a torsion spring system, you may need to replace the springs completely. This is a more complicated job and should be done by a professional.
- Replace Weather Stripping – If your weatherstripping is worn out, it can cause rattling or squeaking noises when the door is opened and closed. Replace the weatherstripping with new material and ensure it’s properly secured in place to prevent any further noise.
By following these simple steps, you should be able to fix any unusual noises coming from your garage door. If these fixes don’t work, it may be time to call a professional for more assistance.
4) When to Call a Professional
There are some cases in which the cause of the noise from your garage door is beyond DIY repair. If the noise is coming from a broken spring, cable, bearing, or pulley system, it is best to call a professional for assistance. Other issues may require replacing parts or lubricating the door’s tracks. If you’re unsure of how to diagnose or repair your garage door’s noise, it is best to call a professional.
Before calling a professional, be sure to get an idea of the cost. Make sure that the repair company is licensed, insured, and knowledgeable in garage door repair and maintenance. Get references if possible, and read online reviews to make sure that the company you’re hiring is reputable.
If you’re experiencing unusual noises coming from your garage door, there’s no need to panic. With a few simple repairs or maintenance tasks, you may be able to solve the problem yourself. However, if you’re unsure of how to diagnose or fix the problem, it’s best to call a professional for assistance.
