If you’ve noticed screeching and squealing when operating your garage door, you might wonder, “Why is my garage door making these noises?” Fortunately, with the right expertise and assistance from a garage door specialist, you can eliminate the annoyance of a noisy door. Continue reading to learn about the typical causes of garage door noise, effective prevention methods, and how our exceptional team of Raynor Authorized Dealers can provide assistance.
Most Common Causes of Noisy Garage Doors
A garage door is a network of moving parts; problems can occur with any piece. If your garage door is loud, one of the following issues may be the culprit.
Poor Installation
Installing your own garage door is never a good idea. Even a small miscalculation can lead to a noisy door. You’ll likely end up hiring a contractor to re-install it, so save your money and invest in a professional to do it right the first time. We recommend calling a Raynor Authorized Dealer near you for your installation or repair needs.
Roller Wear and Tear
The rollers guide your garage door along the track, and they’re one of the first pieces to start squeaking and squealing. Garage doors use one of three types of rollers:
- Plastic: Plastic rollers don’t use ball bearings and thus wear down quickly. You should replace them every two years.
- Steel: Though they’re more vulnerable to rust and corrosion, steel rollers last longer than plastic. You’ll replace them every five years or so.
- Nylon: Nylon rollers are the largest investment, but they’re the quietest. They should last around 10 years.
The most common reason rollers cause noise is from wear and tear, and the more you use your garage door, the faster they wear out. Scheduling door repair can correct the issue with new rollers.
Inadequate Lubrication
Garage door lubricant helps prevent rust, corrosion, and friction. If you lack lubrication, you’re either not applying it frequently enough, or you’re using a low-quality product.
Lubricate your door every six months using a high-quality silicone spray or white lithium grease. The process involves turning off the power supply and vacuuming out the tracks to ensure a clean surface. If you’re nervous about doing it correctly, contact one of our Raynor Authorized Dealers to get a quote today.
Unbalanced Door
If your door is off-balance, you’ll likely hear a banging, scraping, or popping sound indicating a problem. You might also notice the following signs:
- Your door might look cockeyed or uneven.
- If you manually open your door, it might close by itself.
- Unbalanced doors might not open at all.
- Unbalanced doors often take longer to open.
Unbalanced doors most often occur because of broken torsion springs, a slipping belt or chain, or impact damage (such as bumping it with your car). A certified garage door technician can help you identify the cause and fix the problem.
Faulty Opener
Your garage door opener consists of a motor and either a chain drive or belt. It should last between 10 and 15 years. If you hear it straining with a grinding or buzzing sound, it indicates it’s either too old or overheating. You’ll likely require a replacement opener, which one of our Authorized Dealers can install for you.
Consider Climate To Avoid Noise
Choose your garage door based on your local weather. Severe weather can damage your door and throw it off balance, causing it to wear out faster. Selecting a door that can withstand potential damage helps increase your chances of not developing a noisy door.
Extreme Temperature
Extreme heat, extreme cold, and humidity can damage your garage door. If you live near the coast, consider the effects of high salt content on your garage door. Ocean air can cause certain garage door materials to corrode more quickly.
Raynor Garage Doors Can Keep Your Garage Door Quiet
Now that you know the answer to, “Why is my garage door making noises?” you’ll know how to prevent it and when to call a Raynor Authorized Dealer for help. We’ve been the industry-leading garage door company since 1944, and we bring considerable experience in design, engineering, and production to offer superior service to residential homes!
