Why Your Garage Door Is Making Those Strange Noises

Every garage door makes some noise as it opens and closes — even when it's in perfect condition and properly oiled. The hum of the opener or the gentle whirring of the rollers moving along the metal tracks are common sounds you can expect to hear. In most cases, homeowners tend to overlook these regular noises. If you're used to hearing the same sounds every time the door moves, you'll probably assume that everything is fine. Unfortunately, this familiarity can sometimes lead people to neglect the health of their garage door until something goes wrong, requiring an emergency service call to fix a broken opener or handle another urgent repair. If your garage door starts making a buzzing sound, it's definitely time to call in a professional.

Common Odd Noises and Their Possible Causes

Even if your garage door opens and closes without issue, it doesn't mean it's in perfect working order. There are often subtle signs that something might be amiss, and these can start as strange noises you might not immediately recognize as problematic. Paying attention to the noises your garage door and opener make can help you spot potential issues early on and save you from costly repairs down the line.

Rattling or Shaking

If your garage door makes rattling or shaking noises, it could point to several underlying problems. Ignoring these sounds might allow components to loosen further, which can worsen the situation and potentially cause more serious damage to the door or its mechanisms.

Possible causes of rattling or shaking noises include:

• Loose hardware: Over time, nuts, bolts, and screws can come loose due to regular use, causing parts to rattle during operation.
• Worn rollers: If the rollers on the tracks are worn or damaged, they may produce a rattling noise when the door moves.
• Misaligned tracks: Improperly aligned tracks can cause the door to shake during opening and closing, leading to rattling noises.

Grinding or Screeching

Grinding or screeching noises are concerning sounds you might hear when using your garage door. Some common causes include:

• Lack of lubrication: Insufficient lubrication on moving parts like hinges, springs, or rollers can lead to metal-on-metal contact.
• Worn or damaged rollers: Over time, garage door rollers can wear out or become damaged, causing friction and noisy operation.
• Misaligned tracks: If the tracks are misaligned, the rollers may grind against the edges, creating an unpleasant sound.

Popping or Clicking

Popping or clicking noises are another unusual sound you might encounter when operating your garage door. While occasional clicking sounds may not immediately raise concerns, persistent or sudden popping noises should not be ignored, as they could indicate potential issues within the garage door system.

Possible causes include:

• Temperature changes: Extreme temperatures can cause metal parts of the garage door to expand or contract.
• Spring tension issues: Incorrectly adjusted garage door springs could produce clicking sounds during operation.
• Loose or worn components: Some clicking noises may arise from loose or worn-out parts within the garage door's assembly.

Squeaking or Whining

Address these high-pitched sounds or strange buzzing noises promptly to prevent further damage and ensure smooth, quiet operation of your garage door.

• Lack of lubrication: Insufficient lubrication on hinges, springs, or other moving parts can result in squeaking or whining noises.
• Dry or rusty rollers: Dry or rusty rollers can create friction, leading to annoying squeaks during garage door operation.
• Worn-out bearings: The bearings in the garage door's pulleys or other moving parts might wear out, causing squeaking sounds.

Other Noises

There may also be issues specific to a faulty or broken garage door opener:

• Rattling: A loosening of the chain or support rails.
• Grinding: Inadequate lubrication of a part or parts.
• Straining: Defective motor or inadequate horsepower.

No matter what specific noise you hear or how to differentiate them, any abnormal sound indicates the need for a garage door inspection and perhaps repair service.

The Role of Regular Maintenance

While you can inspect your garage door and perform minor fixes like adjusting loose hardware or lubricating the opener, you should leave most other repairs or service to trained professionals like those from Whitby Garage Doors. Handling a garage door’s weight and the degree of tension in the springs and cables can be particularly dangerous for do-it-yourselfers.

Like any other mechanical system, your garage door requires periodic attention and care to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Routine maintenance prevents potential issues, while contributing to home security.

• Preventive measure: Regular maintenance prevents unexpected breakdowns and malfunctions. By addressing small problems early on, you can avoid more extensive and costly repairs in the future.
• Safety assurance: A well-maintained garage door is safe. Ensuring all moving parts function correctly reduces the risk of accidents and injuries to you and your family.
• Extended life span: Proper maintenance can significantly extend the life span of your garage door and its components. Well-cared-for doors are less likely to wear out quickly and require premature replacements.

A Garage Door Tuneup Can Prevent Additional and Unnecessary Repair Costs

If you suspect your garage door is struggling to keep up with your needs, schedule an immediate service call with a technician from Whitby Garage Doors. Our team will address any pressing maintenance tasks and perform a complete garage door tuneup to prevent additional or unnecessary service and repair costs.

Our garage door maintenance checklist includes a thorough inspection and essential maintenance for any door and opener repair issues.

Garage Door Inspection/Tuneup

• Panels
• Hardware
• Tracks and rollers
• Springs and cables
• Door weight/balance

Garage Door Opener Inspection/Tuneup

• Motor
• Travel limits
• Drive system
• Support tracking
• Safety/auto-reverse

If your garage door or opener is making a strange buzzing noise or other unusual sounds, it might be time for repair or maintenance. Call the garage door repair experts from Whitby Garage Doors today at 905-441-1512 to book a garage door inspection and tuneup visit as soon as possible.