Strange Garage Door Sounds that Need Immediate Inspection & Repair

Most of us don’t worry too much about the condition of our garage door until the day we push the button on the remote and the door won’t open.

Different kinds of noises

Are there certain types of sounds that you should pay special attention to, as they may be signs of an impending problem? Yes and no. You should be aware that opening and closing your garage door involves a certain amount of noise that is considered normal. Among other things, if your electric door opener is chain‑driven, rather than belt‑driven, and the chain doesn’t have the correct tension, you will hear a little more noise.

There will also be more noise during extremely cold temperatures. If there is a lot of moisture in your garage, the joints between the different sections of the door will creak more than they would otherwise.

But there’s one noise that you should take seriously. You’re sitting peacefully in your living room when you suddenly hear a quick blast like a gunshot. This probably means that one of the springs has broken. A potential break cannot be detected in advance. A spring can break at any moment, especially if it was installed more than five years earlier.

Precautions to take

To reduce unusual noises, here are a few actions you can take:

  • Annual inspection: take a look at your garage door to make sure there are no loose bolts or screws. Check the condition of the rollers. A roller should roll‑not slide‑inside the track.
  • Lubrication: a good way to eliminate the noise resulting from the metal parts of the springs rubbing together is to apply a little motor oil (e.g. 10W30) with a rag. Among other things, this will protect them from rust and prolong their life.
  • Other tips:
    • Use nylon rollers instead of steel ones.
    • Ask for a door opener that’s belt‑driven, rather than chain‑driven.
    • Ask for a single‑piece (not a 3‑piece) carriage assembly.

Annual tune‑up

We recommend having your garage door inspected and adjusted every year, especially if you’re extremely busy and use it more than usual (2 times/day). It’s a matter of your safety and that of your family, particularly if you use your garage door as a main entrance to your home.

Contact Hicklin Door Services technician today. They offer a garage door “tune-up” (including inspection, lubrication, adjustment and repair, if necessary), just like you would have done on your vehicle before the start of winter.

After all, the important thing is being able to use your garage door, especially when you need it the most. Call us at 515-276-3700 for immediate repair service.

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