Have you ever been startled awake in the middle of the night or early in the morning by a squeaky garage door? If your bedroom is above the garage, you’re probably already aware of this, but some garage doors are so loud that people at the other end of the house can hear it when someone comes or goes. But, believe it or not, this isn’t normal, and you don’t have to put up with a noisy garage door.
Here are some pointers to help you diagnose the issue and significantly reduce the amount of noise your garage door makes.
The issue could be with your garage door opener
- Old garage door openers can be quite noisy. If yours is over 20 years old, it’s probably time to replace it.
- Does your opener use a chain or a combination of steel wire and chain to raise your door? These are some loud options!
- Check the bolts if your garage door opener’s trolley is made up of three pieces. They can become loose and make a lot of noise over time.
- The best garage door opener for reducing noise is:
- The quietest option is a garage door opener with a metal-reinforced rubber belt.
- A one-piece trolley will not have bolts or parts that will loosen and become noisy over time.
Is the Garage Itself a Noisy Place?
- A concrete garage in a building’s basement can act as an echo chamber.
- Noise from the garage can be exacerbated by hardwood floors. Adding carpet to the room above the garage can quickly reduce noise. You may also want to insulate the ceiling of your garage if there is enough overhead space. A thin layer of semi-rigid mineral wool should suffice. If the noise is still too loud, inform family members not to use the garage door before or after certain hours of the night or day.
- The method by which the tracks are attached to the ceiling and the door opener can also have an impact on the noise level: Install semi-rigid rubber or noise isolators between the ceiling and the track anchors in a concrete garage.
- Noise isolators and semi-rigid rubber can also be beneficial in a wooden garage, particularly if your garage door opener is attached to a rafter.
The Garage Door and/or Its Hardware Could Be the Source of the Issue
- Is your garage door made of steel with no insulation on one side? Is it only partially insulated, with a panel running the length of the inside of the door?
- If your tracks are bolted together, the bolts could have come loose, causing the noise you hear.
- Steel rollers can be quite noisy, especially when they are worn out. They should roll freely rather than slide.
- Is your garage door’s spring system providing adequate counterweight? Or is it causing issues?
- Therefore it is preferred to purchase: Sandwich doors with two layers of steel sandwiching an insulation layer are your best bet. Doors with anchor plates welded to the tracks are stronger and will not amplify noise from the door. or;
- A door system with steel rollers covered in nylon and 11 ball bearings will be significantly quieter;
- Purchase a door with a torsion-type spring system rather than an extension-style system. This type of spring system is not only safer, but it also does not transmit noise as easily because it is placed over the door. Furthermore, keeping the system well lubricated will greatly reduce spring noise.
Noises common among garage doors
Here are some common reasons for garage door noise and what causes it:
- Banging: A banging sound indicates that you need to replace your garage door panels or that you need to reposition the garage door.
- Straining: If your garage door opener is straining to open or close, you may need to replace the motor. It could also indicate a lack of power in your garage.
- Rattling: A rattling noise may indicate that you need to tighten some loose nuts or bolts, lubricate the garage door’s metal moving parts, or reposition the garage door. The door opener’s support rails or chain may also be loose.
- Loud opening and closing: If your garage door makes loud noises when you open or close it, you may have poor acoustics. Install insulation or soundproofing on the walls to keep the noise at bay.
- Squealing: A squealing sound is caused by inadequate lubrication. If you’ve lubricated your moving parts and still hear squealing, contact a professional. The door may need to be reinstalled or repositioned on the track.
- Grinding: A garage door grinding noise could be caused by a loose roller or hinge. To stop the grinding noise, try lubricating the parts. Improper installation or a stripped-out trolley may necessitate the assistance of a professional.
- Rumbling: A rumbling sound could indicate a loosened spring or coil tension. Tighten any tension springs in your garage door system by calling a garage door technician.
When Does Your Garage Door Need Repair, Service, or Maintenance?
In general, we recommend having your garage door and opener professionally maintained once a year. So, if you are hearing loud and irregular noises in your garage, it is a good idea to have an expert inspect it.
If your garage door is not properly lubricated, you can solve the problem on your own by purchasing a silicone-based garage door lubricant. A professional garage door tune-up, on the other hand, is inexpensive, and your repair person will lubricate all moving parts and detect other problems before they become dangerous.
To avoid injury, disconnect the opener and work with a partner if you choose to work on your own garage door. Do not try to replace rollers, hinges, or springs yourself. A blunder could cause your garage door to fall off its tracks, causing serious injury or death.
How to get rid of the Noise
There are a few other things you can try to fix the noise on your own, but it is dangerous for an amateur to attempt these types of repairs, so we always recommend hiring a professional, experienced garage door repair technician. Here are some things you can do to help reduce garage door noise on your own:
- Tighten everything: Using simple tools such as a wrench and screwdriver, go along the track and tighten all bolts and nuts, but only in gentle turns so as not to overtighten the hardware.
- Replace or lubricate the rollers: Rusted metal garage door rollers vibrate as they move. Lubricate the rollers and hinges around them until the noise stops. You can use the lubricant provided by your manufacturer or something similar.
- Torsion and extension springs should be lubricated or replaced: The torsion spring is located above the closed garage door. The extension spring is located between the tracks on either side of the door. Inspect your springs to ensure they haven’t snapped before applying lubricant. If they did, you should hire a professional to replace your springs. If not, lubricate the springs with the spray recommended by the manufacturer of your door. When manipulating these springs, use caution. If they snap, they could endanger you and your property.
- Inspect: If you’ve checked the garage door and it’s still making noise, check the garage door opener. To reduce noise from the garage door opener, consult the owner’s manual. A rattling or slapping sound could be caused by a loose chain or belt. If the belt or chain on your garage door opener is loose, contact the manufacturer. If it’s still in good condition, lubricate it with the lubricant they gave you.
- Regular maintenance checks: Even after a thorough inspection, the garage door may still make noise. Engage the services of a professional to inspect and replace any damaged parts. Make an appointment to have your garage door checked at least once a year to help it last longer.
Let Us repair your loud & Noisy Garage Doors
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