4 Tips to Reducing Garage Door Noise

Reducing arage door noise

It is easy to get used to small noises or irregularities if your garage door is still working properly. Just like that slight rattle you hear while driving, you get used to the sound until you forget about it all together. However, unlike your car that you take to the mechanic for routine maintenance, your garage door is often times ignored until it quits functioning altogether.

If it has gotten to the point where your neighbors know exactly when you are coming and going due to the distinct garage door noise coming from your house, you might want to take a look at the four tips for reducing all the racket.

#1 Lubrication is Key

When your door was initially installed, your professional garage door installer applied a quality lubricant to all the moving parts. That initial lubrication most likely lasted a good 12 to 15 months before it started to wear away. All those openings and closing combined with the rain, snow, and wind coming from outside take their toll. However, you can extend the life of your garage door and its components by regularly lubricating all the moving parts paying particular attention to the metal on metal components.

What makes a good garage door lubricant? Easy! One that you probably already have hanging around your house: motor oil. Yep. That same motor oil you use in your car, your lawnmower, your snowmobile, or your motorcycle can be used on your garage door components.

What doesn’t make a good garage door lubricant? It may seem counterintuitive, but WD-40 is not good for your garage door because it is a degreaser. Also, you do not want to add automobile grease to the tracks, a very common practice, because you want the roller to roll not slide. If you have used automobile grease already, just take a rag and wipe it off.

Okay. Now that you know what kind of lubricant to use, you need to know where to put it, right? The motor oil should be applied to hinges, rollers and lift springs. There is no need to slather it on either, everything in moderation! Use a cloth to apply the oil to the whole length of the springs, hinges, and rollers. When you get to the hinges and rollers, it is a good idea to keep another rag handy to wipe the excess so that it doesn’t drip on your car or other items in your garage. It is a good idea to repeat this process twice a year, both before and after the winter season.

You may also want to take a look at the weatherstripping on the external frame. If it is made of PVC, you will want to use a silicone-based lubricant to keep it supple. This lubricant can do double duty by also using it on other doors in your house like the patio door. It doesn’t stain, and it makes the doors easier to slide.

Most quality garage door installers or will offer you these 2 types of lubricants for your garage door.

#2 Tighten things up

The garage door has several different components that all need to work together properly for the door to do its job: open and close. However, when the garage door starts making a lot of noise, one of the things you need to check is the bolts and the screws. Do a quick look for anything that has come loose and tighten it back up. You should pay special attention to the hinge screws because they are the most likely to loosen with use. Another thing to look at is the bolts on the horizontal tracks, watch for movement as the door is in motion, and tighten accordingly.

#3 Check the Rollers

One of the most common sources of noise from the garage door comes from the metal rollers. It can be an easy source to overlook, but you should check to make sure everything is securely attached and the rollers are working properly within the rail. This is also a good time to add a little lubrication to the rollers if you have not already done so.

If your rollers are not working properly, you may want to consider replacing your metal ones with nylon rollers. There are two kinds: black nylon rollers without ball bearings and 11-ball bearing steel rollers covered in white nylon. We recommend the black for single doors and the white for double.

#4 Check the Garage Door Opener

If everything else is in good repair, it is time to take a look at your garage door opener. If your opener is fairly new, less than 7 years old, there is very little maintenance required. Even if it is brand new though, you will want to take a look at the chain or belt drive to see if it needs any tightening. Your maintenance guide should be able to walk you through the steps. If you no longer have your guide, you should be able to download a copy from the manufacturer’s website.

If your garage door opener is over 7 years old or you don’t actually know how old it is, you will want to remove the plastic cover that protects the light bulb and look at the motor housing. Usually, the manufacturing year is stamped there. If you find that your opener is making a bunch of noise and is over 15 years old, you probably just want to go ahead and change it out, mostly for safety reasons but also because a lot has changed in the technology in that amount of time. However, if you plan on sticking to the one you’ve got, check to see if any of the bolts need to be tightened and that the chains are on track.

If you are changing out the older system, it may be a good idea to discuss the options with a garage door professional. There are a lot of options out there like the ½ HP model with the metal-reinforced rubber belt drive and one-piece track, and your specialist will be able to let you know what is right for you. You may even want to consider rubber noise isolators, especially if there is a bedroom located directly above the garage door as they can reduce noise transmission considerably.

Don’t Have Time to Deal With Garage Door Maintenance?

Well, that’s what we are here for! Please feel free to contact us at 613-749-2138! We can provide you with a 28-point tune-up program for your garage door that will get it back in tip-top condition so you and your neighbors can sleep soundly.

We know garage doors better than anyone else, and we are happy to advise you on all of the available options while being mindful of your needs and budget. Get a quote by email today!

Stop by our showroom or check out our design center to find the exact garage door you are looking for, but if you need a few ideas to help you decide, then peruse our image gallery.

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