Squeaky Solutions: How to Quiet a Noisy Garage Door

1. Check for Loose Hardware

Your garage door works hard every day with a bunch of nuts, bolts, and screws holding it all together. Over time, regular use can cause these parts to loosen up, which might lead to some annoying rattling noises.

What to do:

Grab a wrench or socket and check all the bolts and screws on the tracks, hinges, and brackets. Tighten up the loose ones, but don’t go overboard—overtightening can put unnecessary strain on the moving parts.

2. Lubricate Moving Parts

If your garage door is squeaking or grinding, it’s probably craving some TLC in the form of lubrication. Hinges, rollers, and tracks need to stay greased up to keep things running smoothly.

What to do:

Use a garage door-specific lubricant or a silicone spray on the rollers, hinges, tracks, and torsion springs. Skip the regular WD-40—it’s a degreaser and can actually make things worse. Focus on any areas that are rusty or looking a little dry for the best results.

3. Inspect and Replace Rollers

Worn-out rollers are a common culprit when it comes to noisy garage doors. Old metal or plastic rollers can create friction, leading to those unpleasant squeaks and grinding sounds.

What to do:

Check your rollers for cracks, flat spots, or rough surfaces. If they’re looking damaged, swap them out for nylon rollers—they’re quieter and last longer. If you’re not comfortable replacing them yourself, a professional can help make the process safe and easy.

4. Test Your Door’s Balance

An unbalanced garage door doesn’t just make noise—it can also wear down the motor and other parts over time.

What to do:

Disconnect your garage door opener and try lifting the door halfway by hand. If it doesn’t stay in place, it’s out of balance. This one’s a job for the pros, as adjusting the torsion springs can be tricky (and a bit dangerous) without the right training.