We all love our garage and our garage door. They work as they were intended to work – most of the time. However, they sometimes fall victim to wear and tear from general usage or other forms of damage. When this happens, particularly with your garage door opener, they can become quite noisy and this becomes a nuisance. Here you will learn the possible causes, as well as expert advice on what to do about it.
Visual Inspections
When you perform visual inspections of your garage door opener, keep a keen eye for details. Unless you are very tall, you’ll want a step ladder or perhaps a chair to stand on. This is because the opener is high up near the ceiling. Since there are three different types of openers, let’s talk about them in short details so you’ll know what to look for.
Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
These are fairly common, and usually the least expensive type of opener. 
This opener utilizes a screw drive system that rotates a rod, usually made of steel. The rod pulls on the trolley connected to the door and this is what provides the opening and closing action. Granted, these openers are generally louder than the other two types. That is why they are inexpensive by comparison. Over time, the threaded steel rod can get worn down. This will first cause more noise, and then cause the opener to fail to work altogether. Check the rod for damage or worn out threads. Also, check for proper lubrication.
Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
The belt drive garage door opener is the quietest type, but also the most expensive. It uses a belt which is fed through the motor in order to provide the power for a garage door to open and close. Over time, the belt can become worn and frayed, causing unintended noise during operation. Do a visual inspection and check for any fraying of the belt for trouble.
Chain Drive Garage Door Openers
The chain drive garage door opener variant is quite common. 7 out of 10 garage doors use a chain driven motor. It works in much the same way as a belt drive opener, only that it uses chains instead of a belt. It is not as loud as a screw drive opener, but louder than a belt drive opener. When you do a visual inspection of this type of opener; check the chains for any damage. Also, peer inside the opening where the chains are fed through the motor. If it looks and feels dry, chances are it needs to be lubricated to lessen the noise. Damaged chains are something that only a professional could fix.
Knowing what to look for can greatly aid in knowing the cause of why your garage door opener is so noisy. I recommend calling a professional garage door technician for any assistance.
