5 Sounds That Mean You Need Huntington Beach Garage Door Repair
You’re probably accustomed to the gentle swoosh of your HVAC system kicking in, the swish of the dishwasher, and the tick tock of a grandfather clock. Background noise in our living spaces often go unnoticed. We hum along and feel comforted when we do notice that the systems powering our homes are humming right along with us. However, some indicate trouble that will send you in search of a local plumber or a nearby Huntington Beach garage door repair company.
In fact, listening for the sounds coming from your garage doors tells you a lot about how well the apparatus is functioning. You just have to know what certain sounds mean and contact an Irvine garage door repair service as soon as you notice signs of trouble.
Here are five of the most common unusual garage door sounds and what kinds of trouble might be causing them.
1. Squeaking
If your garage door sounds like there’s a mouse trapped inside while it’s in operation, two different issues may be at the source of the problem. Cracked, dried out weather stripping on the outside frame is the first possibility.
Made of plastic, this part becomes dry and brittle after a few years of exposure. An inspection at the beginning and end of cold weather season will help you spot this problem before it expands and results in a leak.
The second possibility is that the rollers that drive the garage doors up and down need lubrication. These are wearable parts and need regular maintenance to keep them in peak operating condition. Make sure to use a lubricant that’s especially made for garage doors, such as WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray. If this doesn’t quiet the squeaking, it’s time to call in a service technician who specializes in garages door in Orange County for further evaluation and possible repair.
Another sign that rollers or chains need lubrication is a rattling sound coming from the tracks when the garage door is in motion. You might also notice that your garage door shakes and shudders when the tracks and movable parts need lubricant. However, if the sound is accompanied by a jerking motion during operation, the chain could actually be loose or broken.
2. Grinding
Slow, constant grinding is a symptom of several possible issues. The simplest solution is to try lubricant on all movable parts. See if that takes care of the grinding noise. If not, then the culprit is likely a chain or belt that’s too tight or loose. A stripped gear in the opener may also cause the sound. In any case, it’s best to get a technician in to inspect and service your garage doors.
3. Clink, Clink, Clink
A clinking sound coming from your garage doors is usually the result of friction between the springs and coils. Again, a little lubricant in the right places could solve the problem quickly. However, the garage door will eventually malfunction without a repair for a bent coil or spring or a defective roller.
4. Rumbling or Banging Garage Doors
Do your garage doors rumble when they’re in motion? This is another noise that could be caused by loose tension springs. When the noise you hear is banging, the problem could be due to defective or damaged garage door panels. Call on an experienced garage door repair technician to address either of these noises, and the problems that cause them.
5. Loud Clunking or Thumping
This could be a sign of a very serious problem with your garage door, especially if yours is the kind with torsion springs. The loud thumping noise is usually the result of an unbalanced door or a broken spring that’s keeping the door from closing properly.
Similar, but due to a different problem is a garage door that clunks and strains when opening. It’s a possible sign that the motor controlling your garage door isn’t getting enough power to get the job done. If replacing the batteries doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to replace the motor itself.
As for the torsion spring, this is a potentially dangerous job for a DIY project. Replacing and calibrating the springs requires proper tools and precision, so it’s best to turn the job over to a professional.
The torsion springs come in pairs, so if one is broken, the other is soon to follow. Save time and headaches by replacing both springs at the same time.
What Happens if You Ignore Noises Coming From Your Garage Doors?
Although any motorized home system is bound to make some noise, loud, continuous, or sudden sounds are a sign that something is wrong. Address or avoid many issues with routine maintenance and seasonal servicing.
Others are potentially serious and could result in personal injuries, property damage, and more costly repairs or replacement of essential parts if left unattended. Broken or damaged garage doors can even leave your home more vulnerable to theft.
The lifespan of a garage door is between 15 and 30 years, although professionals recommend replacement when the doors are about 8 – 12 years old. How long yours lasts depends on how rigorous you are about maintenance, the type of door and construction materials, and your environment.
Constant use can also put a strain on the tracks and motor. Movable parts, such as rollers, springs, and chains, have a much shorter lifespan and are more vulnerable to damage and wear. Most torsion springs last between between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles, which means how many times the doors open and close over their useful life.
In addition to strange noises, issues with broken springs, bent tracks, worn bearings, or uneven tension are all signs that your garage doors or vital parts need repair. According to a 2018 report conducted by REMODELING magazine, replacing a door that’s more than 10 years old, even if it’s still in good working condition, is one of the few home improvements that recoups nearly 100 percent of your investment.
Looking for a Reputable Huntington Beach Garage Door Repair Service?
Is your garage door trying to tell you something? Pay attention and act fast to avoid high repair or replacement costs.
Noisy and defective, outdated, or broken garage doors threaten more than your sanity. Putting off repairs endangers people and possessions. However, safety is also a concern when it comes to fixing garage doors. Get in touch with a service professional from an Orange County garage door repair company like Precision Garage Door to talk about solutions today.
