Wear parts
Rollers, hingesand tune-ups
A door that rattles, scrapes or shudders usually has worn rollers or loose hinges. It's worth fixing before a part fails.
What you can do
Safe to do
- Watch and listen as the door moves, and note where the noise starts.
- Wipe dirt out of the track with a rag.
- Look from the floor for cracked hinges, loose brackets and rust.
Leave alone
- Don't touch springs, cable ends or the brackets that hold them.
- Don't loosen bolts on the bottom corner brackets. They're under heavy tension.
- Don't use a ladder to reach springs.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests inspecting the door and opener every 30 days. That means looking and listening, and leaving adjustments to a contractor.
What wears out
Worn rollers make the door rattle or shudder in the track. A cracked or loose hinge lets the panels flex, and can tear at the panel itself.
What to ask about a tune-up
Usually it means tightening hardware, checking balance, lubricating moving parts and replacing what's worn. The list varies between contractors, so ask what's included and how extra parts are charged.
Ready to talk to a contractor?
Your call goes to an independent contractor who works in this area. Say what the door is doing, ask what the price covers, and ask for license details before you agree to anything.