How to Fix a Squeaky Garage Door

Technician Fixing Garage Door
Most things that squeak are annoying, sneakers on linoleum floors, a kitchen cabinet with dry hinges and, of course, squeaky garage doors.

What’s even worse is that when they squeak and squeal when you are leaving your house, you might make a mental note to look into that. However, by the time you’ve gotten to work or picked up the kids, it will have drifted away into the dark recesses of your mind. However, it is still back there, causing you worry.If you live in a neighborhood with a Homeowner’s Association, you could be under a ‘noise restriction’ covenant, which means the neighborhood could fine you for creating a disturbing noise.

The good news is, if you are handy and have a relatively well-stocked toolbox, it can be a fairly simple fix. Squeaky garage doors are typically the result of loose hardware, worn rollers, a need for anti-vibration pads, or parts that simply require lubrication.

The good news is, if you are handy and have a relatively well-stocked toolbox, it can be a fairly simple fix.

Socket Wrench Icon

Get Out Your Handy Dandy Tool Box

The first thing to address is whether the squeak is the result of loose hardware.

Grab a ratchet and a deep socket wrench to tighten any loose bolts. Pay close attention to the track and door hardware, as this can be a common area to find loose hardware. Be sure not to over-tighten bolts as too much force can strip lag screw holes or rip bolts through the door itself.

Garage Door Rollers Icon
Second, check your garage door and assembly for any worn rollers.

Often, track rollers have unsealed bearings that break down over years of continuous use in dirty environments. If the wear is significant enough, the track rollers will wobble as the door opens and closes, causing squeaks and other noise. Consider having someone repair your garage door’s worn track rollers with newer nylon rollers that have sealed bearings.

However, if your door uses torsion springs mounted on a header on top of the door, do not attempt to replace the bottom bracket rollers without professional assistance. These brackets are subject to constant spring tension and could potentially cause serious bodily injury if you unbolt them without assistance.

Hinge Icon
Third, examine your door and assembly for any worn hinges.

While worn hinges are more uncommon than worn rollers, damaged hinges can make a lot more noise. These rollers can cause the garage door to bind and wear the door section’s tongue-and-groove joints. A small amount of slack at a hinge is normal, but if you find strange holes where the hinge bracket connects with the hinge pin, consider replacing the entire hinge immediately. An easy way to spot early wear is to look for metal fillings or other grey dust around the hinge.

Garage Door Chain and Gear
After you have tightened loose hardware and replaced any worn rollers and hinges, focus on the garage door’s opener chain.

Loose opener chains make loud clacking and slapping sounds. They also typically cause the garage door to jerk and will slam the track rollers against the track. You’ll need your garage door owner’s manual to see which tool is best to tighten your particular chain.

Spray Can icon
Next, get a garage door lubrication package and spray all unsealed roller bearings, springs, and hinges.

You can typically find garage door grease kits at local home repair stores. Also, be sure to lubricate bearings on torsion bars and any other pivot points. Garage door lubrication grease is specifically designed to spray on as a liquid to penetrate all parts and dries as a non-stick grease that will not attract any dust or dirt.

Be sure to lubricate any moving parts on a garage door every six months to keep the door and its assembly from squeaking and to reduce wear. Also, avoid any non-garage door specific lubricants. While they may be cheaper than garage door specific lubricant, they tend to pick up more dust and dirt.

Anti-vibration Pad Icon
Finally, consider adding anti-vibration pads between the ceiling and mounting bracket of the garage door assembly.

Also, if you have a tuck-under or attached garage and the door’s noise seems louder inside your home, consider isolating the opener from the garage rafters with rubber pads.

If you suspect the squeak stems from the bad hinges, or if you just don’t have the time for DIY, Austin Garage Door Solutions is just a call away at 512-709-3704. Our highly trained technicians can be at your (front or garage) door usually within one short hour!

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