As we covered in the first part of our Noisy Garage Door repair series, tightening the bolts can be a great first step to a quiet door operation. If your door is still noisy after you are done making sure all the bolts and screws are secure, the next step is to address the moving parts. 

As a garage door ages, its rollers are often the first things to go. Rolling on dirty tracks is hard on unsealed bearings, causing them to almost self-destruct after years of use, wobbling on their tracks with each operation. If you have patience and the right tools and parts, replacing these rollers isn't difficult.

• If you can, consider swapping out your current rollers with nylon rollers with sealed bearings. They are typically quieter, and they have the added benefit of not needing periodic oiling. Of course, this does make them a bit more expensive, so let your pocketbook weigh in on this decision.
• NOTE: If your garage door uses torsion springs mounted on the header above the door, do not replace the rollers in the bottom brackets. Those brackets are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if you unbolt them. Call a professional. Like us. 
• Replace rollers one at a time, starting at the top.

After the rollers, the door panel hinges are another noisy culprit. They, too should be carefully inspected to make sure they haven't slipped, loosened, or failed.

• Check each hinge to make sure it hasn't shifted from its original location.
• While some play at the hinge is normal, and even necessary, if you see metal filing dust around the hinge, it's a red flag that something isn't working right. 
• Replace hinges as necessary, getting parts at your local garage door distributor or online.

As we've mentioned in previous posts, garage door maintenance and repair is an important part of keeping your home safe and secure. It can be big job for busy homeowners and families. When the job feels to big or too overwhelming, Overhead Door of Sioux City and Overhead Door of Yankton are happy to help.

Do not attempt to repair your garage without the proper experience or without being completely aware of the risks involved. Every garage door and garage door repair situation is different and carries with it different maintenance tools, parts, skills, and requirements. Please schedule a service appointment with Overhead Door of Sioux City or Overhead Door of Yankton and refer to your garage door manual for additional maintenance guidance and tips. Further garage door repair and maintenance tips can be found at www.doors.org.