Most garage doors are raised and lowered several times throughout the day. If your garage door is noisy this can be very frustrating, especially if you are trying to sleep. We have some easy DIY tips to reduce garage door noise and a few tips that need to be done by a professional. In less than an hour your garage door and opener will be running smoother and much quieter. Isn’t it time for some peace and quiet?
Tip #1: Lubricate Parts Lubricate the metal parts of your garage door. You can purchase a garage door lubricant from your local hardware store or your garage door professional. Apply lubricant to rollers, hinges, tracks and springs. Lubricate the opener chain and opinions at each end. Refer to the garage door opener manufacturer’s guide for instructions on lubricating other types of openers. Lubrication should be done every six months.
Tip #2: Tighten Everything Inspect your garage door for any loose parts. With a wrench or socket tighten all nuts and screws. Do not over tighten or damage can occur. These first two tips usually solve most of the problems. If not, move on to the next tip.
Tip #3: Replace Rollers Rollers should roll in the tracks not slide. If your rollers are worn replace them with quieter nylon rollers with sealed bearings. Rollers can be purchased at your local hardware store but be sure you know exactly what size you need. We suggest calling your garage door professional for this job. If you are a handyman you could probably replace most of the upper rollers yourself but DO NOT attempt to replace the rollers in the bottom brackets. These brackets are under extreme tension from the springs and can cause serious injury if you unbolt them. Amarr just introduced the “Quiet Door Option”. This is a nylon sleeve that is installed on the roller stem and is held on by a push nut. It reduces noise by up to 38%. Ask your garage door professional about this product.
Tip #4: Replace Hinges Hinges can wear out and break just like rollers. If your hinge has a hole in it or it is bent it is time to replace the hinge. Worn out or broken hinges can wear out the tongue and groove joints at the door sections. Again be sure to get the correct hinges for your brand of garage door.
Tip #5: Tighten the Opener Chain A loose chain can cause a lot of problems. A loose chain makes causes the door to jerk. The chain should be tight. This procedure can be found in the owners manual.
Tip #6: Replace Bottom Astrogal The bottom astragal is the rubber piece that runs along the bottom of the garage door. It acts as a seal between the door and the ground. If this is worn down or missing the door will make a loud noise as it hits the ground. Replacing an astragal is an easy DIY job. There are many different kinds of astragals. Some manufacturers make astragals that only fit their doors. Know what you need before you purchase.
Tip #7: Install Vibration Isolators: Vibration or noise isolators are small pads that are placed between the motor block and the slotted metal brace used to attach the motor to the ceiling. These pads help stop the transfer of sounds and vibrations to the garage structure. You can make your own by cutting up an old tire or order them from Amazon!
These tips to reduce garage door noise are pretty simple and most can be done rather quickly and at a low cost. For a bit more money we suggest installing a new Belt Drive Garage Door Opener. These openers are extremely quiet and most come with wifi and battery back-up too. Non-insulated garage doors rattle as they go up and down. To fix this consider insulating your garage door with Polyurethane Insulation Panels. You can buy the insulation panels and do it yourself in a couple of hours or hire a professional. This insulation makes a great sound insulator.
We at Anderson Garage Doors hope these tips to reduce garage door noise can help you find a little more peace and quiet this summer! Contact us with any product questions or installation help. (435) 752-6677