In a perfect world, garage doors would generate no sound and function perfectly every time. Sadly, this is not always the case. But, how do you know what the different noises mean, let alone what you should do about them?
Here is a breakdown of some common garage door noises. We’ll look at why they happen, and when you can handle the issue on your own versus calling an expert.
Pro tip–always call a garage door contractor if you’re not sure what to do or if you see a safety issue. It’s always better to get professional guidance if you have any questions or doubts.
Squealing
When you hear squealing from your garage door, it often means that one metal component is rubbing against another. Typically, this happens along the metal garage door tracks as the door moves up and down.
The solution? Regular lubrication to prevent accelerated wear and tear and eliminate the unpleasant sound. Before you start any application, though, always check your owner’s manual for the recommended lubrication type and procedure.
Track misalignment can also cause squealing. An alignment issue is a more serious problem that requires professional attention. If lubrication does not eliminate the sound, contact your local garage door experts for further assistance.
Grinding
Grinding typically signals a problem with the garage door rollers. The rollers are essentially small wheels that let the door move up and down the vertical and horizontal tracks. If these rollers start to wear out—or the tracks are misaligned, causing uneven wear—you may notice a grinding noise.
If your rollers are starting to show signs of wear, call your garage door professional for an assessment and possible roller replacement. Fixing this essential garage door component should be left to the professionals.
Rattling
Hearing a rattling noise from your garage door can be disconcerting, but the problem may not be as bad as it sounds. Rattling usually means that hardware is loose.
Various nuts, bolts, and hinges connect the different parts of your garage door. Over time, these hardware pieces can start to loosen. As the door moves up and down, it vibrates, which can cause the hardware to rattle.
The fix? Tighten the hardware.
If you feel comfortable assessing and tightening the hardware yourself, you can try handling it as a DIY repair. If you’d rather call your local garage door contractor to sort it out, they can handle it along with any other garage door maintenance needs.
While a rattling noise is not an emergency, you should still address it as soon as you can. If the hardware loosens too much, it can cause the door or door mechanisms to become unbalanced or damaged. It’s much better to take care of a small garage door fix today rather than letting it escalate into a more serious problem.
Banging
A garage door that bangs while opening or closing, or bangs shut suddenly, should not be ignored. A banging noise typically signals a major issue with the torsion spring, counterbalance system, or opener mechanism.
It is not safe to address these issues on your own, so you should definitely call a garage door company to diagnose and fix the problem. It’s best to address a banging noise as quickly as possible to avoid potential injury, property damage, or further damage to the door structure or mechanical components.
For help with garage door noises or malfunctions in Heathsville or the surrounding area, call Easy Open Garage Doors, LLC, today! With over 32 years of experience, we are well-versed in handling garage door issues, large or small. We offer a one-year warranty on all workmanship and installations, and we honor all manufacturer warranties on parts. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, reliability, and quality work. Easy Open Garage Doors, LLC—Because life is hard enough!
