Nothing ruins the peaceful start or end to your day like having to listen to a loud, annoying squeaking or creaking noise every time you open or close your garage door. But never fear – with just a little TLC and some basic tools, you may be able to solve the problem yourself and restore the tranquility around your home.
The most common causes of a squeaking or creaking garage door are things like worn hinges, rollers, tracks or springs that need lubrication or replacement. So in this post, we’ll explore 5 easy solutions you can try before calling in a professional for Garage Door Repair in Virginia Beach.
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Lubricate the Wheels, Rollers and Tracks
One of the easiest ways to potentially stop a creaking or squeaking sound is by lubricating the moving parts. Over time, rust and dirt can build up on the wheels, rollers and metal tracks which causes friction as the door moves.
Use a lightweight oil, grease or dry lubricant spray and coat all the wheels, rollers and where the rollers contact the tracks. Move the garage door up and down while spraying to work the lubricant in. Be sure to wipe away any excess. This simple maintenance can often fix noises without replacing parts.
Check and Replace Worn Hinges
The hinges that hold your garage panels in place can deteriorate over time from use and weather exposure. Squeaks may indicate worn bushings, rods or brackets that need to be replaced.
Inspect all hinges for signs of wear like looseness, cracks or rust. Remove and closely examine any hinges making noise. Replace as needed with new steel hinges rated for your door size and weight. Proper hinges are important for smooth, quiet operation.
Tighten or Replace Loose Hardware
Over the lifespan of a garage door, screws and bolts holding parts together can work loose causing rattling and creaking. Give all visible hardware a once-over to check for looseness.
Use a socket wrench or screwdriver to tighten any bolts securing hinges, tracks or spring assemblies. You may also find a broken roller holder or other worn piece that needs swapping out. Replacing loose hardware often solves annoying sound issues.
Check and Replace Worn Springs
The torsion springs that help your garage door open and close easily take a lot of force over thousands of cycles. Old or misadjusted springs can create squeaks as metal fatigues.
Inspect springs for signs of corrosion, cracks or coils out of alignment. Have a professional from evaluate springs if there’s any question they’re worn out. Replacing springs when needed prevents safety issues down the road.
Lubricate Moving Cables
The steel cables connecting your garage door to the opener sprocket and torsion springs also need occasional lubrication. Over time, cable movement rubbing against pulleys and brackets can cause squeaks.
Use a dry lubricant spray designed for door and gate cables to coat the entire lengths sliding through pulleys and drums. Work the spray in by opening and closing the door a few times. Cable lubrication every 6-12 months prevents unnecessary noise and wear.
When Basic Maintenance Fails
If squeaks and creaks persist even after trying the troubleshooting steps above, it may be time to contact a certified garage door technician. Sometimes there are underlying issues like dents, misaligned panels or structural problems requiring a pro’s expertise to properly diagnose and repair. An inspection from a quality company can identify all areas needing attention before making the necessary fixes.
With regular maintenance and quick repairs when noises develop, your garage door shouldn’t cause any unwanted disturbances. Catching issues early keeps everything operating smoothly and safely for many more years of quiet, dependable service. Now get out there and silence that irritating squeak for good! Let me know if you have any other questions.
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