Garage Door Making Loud Noises? Here's What It Means

Garage doors make some noise. That's normal.

But there is big difference between the usual whir of the opener and a new grinding, banging or squeaking sound that catches everyone’s attention. 

Maybe the door still works. Maybe it even sounds fine on some days and awful on others. Either way, a new noise is usually worth paying attention to. It can be a small worn part, or the first sign that something needs proper attention.

A Squeak Might Be Something Simple

A creaky garage door can come from rollers, hinges or other moving parts that have shown wearing signs.

This is easy to ignore, especially if your garage door keeps operating. But if that noise gets louder, happens every time the door moves, or comes with jerky movement, the issue won’t disappear on its own. 

Excelsior works on different components of garage doors including rollers, hinges, tracks and other mechanisms, so we can check the whole system rather than guessing which bit is making the ugly sound.

Grinding or Scraping Is Harder to Ignore

A grinding or scraping sound usually deserves a closer look.

A worn roller could be struggling in the track. A track may have shifted or been damaged. Something could be rubbing where it shouldn't.

Watch the door from a safe distance while it moves. Does one side travel differently? Is the door wobbling? Does the noise happen in one particular spot?

Don't get your hands in there to find out.

Garage doors are heavy, and parts such as springs and cables can hold a lot of tension. That's not really a good place for trial and error.

What if the noise only happens at one point?

That's actually useful.

If the sound appears when the door reaches one section of the track, it may help point towards a particular roller, hinge, panel or track area. Let the technician know when it happens. Little details like that can save some guesswork.

What Does a Loud Bang Mean?

A squeaky garage door is not the same as a sudden bang.

If the spring has been broken it can make a loud popping or banging sound, and the door may become very difficult to lift afterwards. A broken cable can also leave one side of the door lower than the other.

Our garage door repairing service covers springs, cables, rollers, torsion bars and tracks, among other overhead door issues.

Get your garage door checked if you notice a loud bang and the door behave strangely. 

Sometimes the Opener Is Making the Noise

Not every noisy garage door has a door problem.

The opener itself can make clicking, grinding or straining sounds. And if the door has become harder to move, the opener may be working harder than it should.

That is why checking the opener and door together makes sense. Replacing the motor when the actual problem is a worn roller doesn't solve much.

If the opener is old and keeps failing, though, replacement may eventually be the better option.

What If the Garage Door Is Getting Old?

Some noise is simply part of an ageing system.

If the door has needed several repairs, has damaged sections or is showing a lot of general wear, it may be worth comparing another repair with replacement.

Excelsior's Brooklyn service explains that repeated breakdowns, structural damage and outdated components can all be reasons to consider a new door. A properly installed newer door can also operate more quietly.

That's relevant when considering Garage Door Installation in Brooklyn NY, because the door, opener, tracks and spring system all need to work together properly.

Garage Door Noise: Common Questions

Is a noisy garage door always a serious problem?

No. A dry hinge or worn roller may be a fairly straightforward fix. A sudden bang, grinding sound or uneven movement is more concerning and should be checked.

Can I lubricate the garage door myself?

Some parts may need suitable lubrication, but don't start spraying everything you can see. Different components need different treatment, and lubricant on the wrong part can make things worse.

Why is my garage door shaking while it moves?

Shaking can come from worn rollers, track problems, loose hardware or an unbalanced door. The opener may not be the problem at all.

The door still opens. Is it okay to keep using it?

Not always.

If the noise is new and the door is scraping, jerking, wobbling or moving unevenly, continuing to run it can put extra strain on other components.

Does a noisy garage door mean I need a new one?

Not by itself. A single noisy component can often be repaired. Replacement becomes worth considering when the door is old, structurally damaged or constantly needing repairs.