How noisy is your garage door? Lots of us don’t realize how loud the sounds coming from the opening and closing of the door have become. It is human nature to get used to sounds and even irregularities if they are repetitive. So, if the door continues to open and close, you might ignore the noise it makes.
Yet, it is important that we don’t tell ourselves wrongly that all is normal because the door works. Getting regular tune-ups is a good way to ensure both safety and function.
Now, if you are someone whose neighbors know you’ve arrived home because your door is so noisy, it is time to take action. It isn’t just about the noise, it is about safety and the life of the garage door. There are some DIY steps that you can take to determine if you need a more serious fix.
Is Everything Evenly Lubricated?
Lubrication is the first thing that needs to be done if you want to extend the life of your garage door system. The original installer did this, but that lubrication was meant to last around 15 months, and no longer. After that, it is up to you to ensure that all of the moving parts are properly lubricated and that any metal parts that might rub against other metal parts are protected.
What shouldn’t be used? Let’s get past one of the biggest mistakes made by those doing a basic checkups on the garage door and consider what lubricants CANNOT be used. At the top of the list is WD-40, because it’s a degreaser. Next, is automobile grease, which is often smoothed over the curved and horizontal areas of the garage door tracks. This is dangerous because a roller is supposed to “roll” in its track but greases of this kind will make them slide.
What lubricant should be used? The best is motor oil, like that used for your car, lawnmower, snowmobile, etc. It should be applied to the hinges, rollers and lift springs Always use moderation when applying any lubricant.
You can use clean clothes for each area, and just rub the oil along the lengths of the springs, hinges or rollers. Just be sure to wipe away excess so you don’t get oil dripping down into the garage whenever the door is open.
You can do this twice each year, typically before and after winter.
You can also give some attention to the weatherstripping on the outside of your door – particularly if it is in the PVC. It is best to apply a silicone-based lubricant to protect it and keep it supple, to prevent risk of staining, and for any other door in the home.
If you don’t want to do this on your own, a good garage door installer will use these 2 types of lubricants for your garage doors and ensure optimal function and safety.
Examine Bolts and Screws
The garage door is opened and closed often and this can cause all of its joints and fixtures to loosen. It is a good idea to tighten all of the bolts and screws a few times each year. Give extra attention to hinge screws, ensuring they are not loose. Check the bolts at the ends of the horizontal tracks that are attached to the ceiling by perforated metal brackets. If these tracks move when the door is in motion, tightening the bolts immediately.
Examine the Rollers
One of the most common sources of noise in a garage door is the metal rollers. You’ll want to ensure that the steel rods that hold the rollers are securely attached together and that the rollers are actually “rolling” rather than sliding in the rails. If everything is working okay, lubrication will be enough to keep everything working properly.
When metal rollers don’t seem to be working, nylon rollers could be a good replacement or upgrade. There are two kinds available: black nylon rollers without ball bearings and 11‑ball bearing steel rollers covered in white nylon. For a 9′ x 7′ door, the black will certainly work, while for a double, 16′ garage door, white rollers are a good choice. Your repair professional is the best person to consult about this issue.
Consider a New Garage Door Opener
In the end, it might not be the door or the components but the opener itself. A lot of noise can emanate from any poorly adjusted components of an opener. If the opener is under seven years in age, there should very little maintenance to do.
You shouldn’t have to lubricate it or add a lot of oil, but you may want to examine the chain or belt drive to see if it needs to be a little tighter.
Refer to the maintenance guide supplied by the manufacturer or consider using the soundproofing method (which is explained a bit later in this article).
If the system is over seven years old, you’ll want to look on the motor housing after removing the plastic cover that protects the light bulb. Often, the manufacturing year is printed in this area, and if the unit is more than 15 years old, it really should be updated. This is for safety reasons, but also because technologies have advanced and the systems have improved.
You’ll also want to determine if there is a chain or chain-cable combination on the trolley that pulls the garage door, or if the track for the opener is made in 3 sections and held together with bolts that always need to be tightened. All of these may also indicate a new door opener is a good idea.
If the time has come to change the door opener, look for a ½ HP model with a metal-reinforced rubber belt drive and a one-piece track. Ask a garage door professional for a comprehensive quotation.
And if you have a room over the garage or you just want an ultra-quiet system, you can attach the door opener and its track system to the ceiling by using rubber noise isolators that can reduce noise transmission considerably. Ask the expert to add that to your quote.
What to Do If You Don’t Have Time for Repairs
If you prefer an expert to do the work, just contact us! We can provide you with a 28-point tune‑up program for your garage door and get it back in tip top condition. We know garage doors best and can advise you about the best choice based on your precise needs and budget and can even send a quotationby email.
You can visit our show room or use our online Design Centre to choose your new door. You can also use the image gallery to get lots of ideas.
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