Squeaking and creaking — those high-pitched protests — often mean your door's moving parts need lubrication. Metal-on-metal contact between dried-out rollers and tracks is usually the culprit, though worn rollers or hinges can also create this nail-on-chalkboard noise.
Lack of lubrication: The moving parts of a garage door need to be lubricated regularly to keep them from making noise. If the door is not lubricated properly, it can make a squeaking or grinding sound. Improper installation: If the garage door was not installed properly, it can make noise when it closes.
Silicone: Silicone lubricant is the ultimate solution for garage door maintenance. Formulated with high-quality silicone oil, it excels in providing long-lasting, all-weather lubrication that keeps garage doors running smoothly and quietly.
In many scenarios, all you need is a quick application of lubricant to stop a door from squeaking. How do you lubricate door hinges? You can use either WD-40 or there are other household products you may have more readily available.
Silicone Spray
A popular choice that many choose to stop doors making a squeaking sound is to spray the hinge with some silicone.
There's no need to use too much of it – a single spray should be enough. Open and close your garage door to see if the garage door hinges are still making noises and apply additional lubrication as needed. If there's still a noise coming from them, you might need to replace your garage door hinges.
To make sure that your garage door has a long life, the most effective way to maintain it is by lubricating the moving parts regularly with a trusted product like WD-40®. Using WD-40® products on its rollers, door hinges, locks, and pivot points, you can: Displace extra moisture. Lubricate and loosen stuck parts.
If you hear loud grinding, rattling or squealing when you open and close your garage door, it may be improperly installed. Slapping sounds can indicate a loose chain, while vibrating, rumbling and rattling may mean that the nuts or bolts are loose. Improper installation can cause several other garage door issues.
An average technician's fee for garage door maintenance is about $85. Their services will include: Checking, lubricating, and tightening screws and hinges as needed. This costs about $5.
Lubrication is your first line of defense against garage door noise. Skip the WD-40 — it's not actually a lubricant. Instead, grab a silicone-based spray or lithium grease. Start with the rollers, applying lubricant where they meet the tracks.
Hinges - maybe they're painted over, out of place, or just old and in need of a little TLC. Swelling - if you have a wooden door it likely swells and contracts with the weather. Alignment - sometimes doors do not fit properly in their frames, either from wear and tear over time or a mismatched installation.
Avoids Breakdown—It is unexpected that the garage door collapses and can't perform its functionalities. But lubricating the opener chain prevents this and reduces the chances of a breakdown.
Garage door hardware needs periodic inspection for signs of wear and tear. Check the garage door tracks and hinges. Use a socket wrench or screwdriver as needed to tighten any loose bolts or fasteners on moving parts. Inspect for wear on any garage door rollers that are not attached to the lift cable system.
Home Depot garage door installation costs $250 to $375 and has a 1-year labor warranty. Installation includes removing the old door, installing the new door, reconnecting the opener, and sealing the perimeter.
It displaces moisture and provides excellent lubrication, protecting and extending the life of your tools and equipment. As it's silicone-based, it's perfect for using on rubber parts like pipes, window seals, plumbing fittings and belts.
Spray or Apply Lubricant: Use a lubricant like WD-40, silicone spray, or petroleum jelly. Apply it directly to the hinge pin and the moving parts of the hinge. Move the Door: Open and close the door several times to work the lubricant into the hinge.
As hinges or generally the cause of a squeaky or creaky door, it is the hinges where you will need to oil the door. To fix a squeaky hinge, you might be able to just lubricate the hinge without having to take anything apart. Sometimes you might need to remove the hinge pin.
Often, a door not closing properly is a hinge issue. Grab a screwdriver and tighten those screws on both the door and the frame. If the screw holes are feeling a bit loose, consider using longer screws, such as 2-3" screws or inserting wooden dowels (or even some wooden toothpicks) for a sturdier fix.