A noisy garage door is more than just annoying. It could be an indication of problems that will cause your garage door to wear prematurely and cost you lots of money to repair or force you to replace the door. While it’s relatively easy to repair some causes of a popping garage door, others can be complex and/or dangerous and are best left to a professional. Here are a few tips to bear in mind when you have a garage door making banging noises when opening.
Garage Door Making Banging Noises When Opening
If your garage door making banging noises when opening, you may need to inspect and lubricate the rollers and track, check the hinges and more.
1. Inspect and Lubricate the Rollers and Track
Open the garage door and inspect the track on both sides of the garage door for dust, stones or debris that could hinder the rollers from moving freely. It’s also important to confirm that the rollers are in good shape: make sure they’re round without any flat spots. Adding a few drops of motor oil will help to ensure the rollers move smoothly. Once you’re done, close the door and inspect the door once more. You may use a stepladder if necessary.
2. Check the Hinges
A damaged or loose hinge may result in garage door popping. As such, you need to ensure each hinge is in good shape. Make sure the hinge is securely fastened to the door and the roller bolt is perpendicular to the track. You can straighten out minor bends in the door panels using a rubber mallet and a box or socket wrench to tighten loose bolts if necessary. Bear in mind, however, that you may need to call in a professional if there’s extreme damage.
3. Isolate the Door or Opener
If you have an electric garage door opener, make sure the opener isn’t the cause of the problem. Consult the opener’s user manual on how to disconnect the drive chain from the door then open the door manually. Garage doors can be quite heavy so you might want to ask someone to help you out. If something’s not right, you may have to replace the opener.
4. Lubricate the Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are a common feature in many garage doors. They help to open the door but over time, the coil of the spring can lock, preventing the door from opening smoothly and causing the garage door to pop when you open it. One way to deal with this is to open the door and lubricate the springs generously with motor oil and then clean them with a dry cloth. If you still experience the same problem, reach out to a professional to repair or replace the springs. It’s best to leave this to professionals as removing and modifying torsion springs requires expertise and can be dangerous.
Bottom Line
If your garage door is working properly, you shouldn’t be hearing any loud banging or popping noise when it opens or closes. So, when you have a garage door making banging noises when opening, understanding some of the reasons why can help you come up with a sustainable solution. However, if you’re unable to deal with the issue, hire a competent professional to help and worst comes to worst, you can install a new garage door.
