Learning About Buying The Right Auto Parts

Want A Quiet Garage Door? Tips To Help You Pinpoint And Solve The Cause Behind The Noise

18 August 2016

Reginald Richardson

Even though it can be opened with a push of a button, your garage doors are actually run by a complicated series of pulley and cables. If your once-quiet garage doors are beginning to squeal and squeak, there are several reasons why this annoying noise is occurring. Here are a few of the most common causes of a squeaking garage door – and some tips on how to cure the issue:

Begin with the Nuts and Bolts

The best place to begin searching for the culprit is to check the nuts and bolts. There are nuts and bolts found all over the garage door and the opener mechanism. Over time, the constant up-and-down motion can loosen these fasteners, which can lead to the squeaking and squealing noises.

Once you locate the loose nuts and bolts, tighten them all with the appropriate tools. This is the simplest solution to your problem and in most cases, it will cure the issue.

Check the Garage Opener

If the garage door is still squealing after you've tightened any loose nuts and bolts, the next place to examine is the opener mechanism itself. This unit is typically found on the garage's ceiling. Your garage opener's trolley drive mechanism will be belt or chain driven. If you're not sure which type of garage door you have, consult the owner's manual.

Once you discover which type of trolley mechanism is found on your garage door opener, you can diagnose the issue. If you have a chain-driven opener, applying a metal lubricant to the chain can help reduce the noise. However, be aware that chain-driven openers are inherently noisy, so you might not be able to eliminate the noise altogether.

If you have a belt-driven trolley mechanism, you may need to have the belt replaced or repaired. If this is the case, don't try to do this yourself; instead, contact a professional. A professional will have the tools and know how to replace or repair the belt quickly.

Examine the Springs and Hinges

An issue with the door's springs or hinges is another common cause of a noisy garage door. Begin by examining the springs, which run down each side of the doors. If the springs are worn, go ahead and replace them. If you're not comfortable replacing the springs yourself, hire a professional to take on this task.

Worn or corroded hinges found on the garage door itself may also be the cause of the squeaking noise. Before you replace the worn hinges, apply a layer of metal lubricant to each. This may just be enough to put an end to the noise. However, if there is a severe grinding noise or if the hinges are severely worn, they should be replaced by a professional.

Is the Garage Door Off Balance?

Finally, if you have tried to repair all of the above-mentioned issues and your garage door is still squeaking, the door might be out of balance. According to Chamberlin Customer Help, there is a simple way to test if your door is off balance. Begin by shutting the door and disconnecting it from the garage door opener.

Next, try to open and close the door manually. If the door isn't opening and closing with ease, apply a lubricant to the door's hinges and rollers. After lubricating all of the necessary parts, if you're still having trouble easily opening and closing the door with your hands, it's time to call a professional for help.

Once you can easily open and shut the door, you can now test to see if it is unbalanced. To do this, simply open the door to the halfway point and let it go. A door that is perfectly in balance will either not move at all, or will slowly and gently either rise or fall. However, if the door slams shut, it is off balance.

You shouldn't try to balance the door—instead, contact a professional.

From checking the nuts and bolts to examining the garage opener and the door's spring and hinges, there are several ways you can find the reason why your garage door is squeaky. Once you've pinpointed the problem, contact a company like J & R Garage Door Company Inc. to perform the necessary repairs.

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