Noisy garage doors are a common complaint with homeowners. Garage doors can weigh up to several hundred pounds, so it's not surprising that it takes quite a lot of effort to move them up and down. However, modern garage door equipment is highly refined, and manufacturers and installers put a lot of effort into ensuring your door can operate smoothly and quietly.

Of course, some noise is inevitable since your equipment must move a relatively heavy door up and down. However, noise that's unusually loud or disturbing can sometimes indicate trouble. If you've recently noticed a change in your door's behavior, here are three reasons why it might suddenly be noisier than you'd like.

1. Poor Maintenance

Poor or deferred maintenance is the most likely cause of a noisy door. All the weight also means that your garage door hardware is under a lot of stress, so it's normal for parts to wear down, loosen, and generally perform worse as they age. Common culprits on a poorly maintained door are the door opener chain and the roller tracks or wheels.

The chain, hinges, and rollers may all require periodic lubrication, and it's important to inspect these parts from time to time. The tracks and rollers can also become dirty, and that grit can cause your door to rattle, grind, and vibrate as it moves. Cleaning and lubricating these parts is an easy DIY, but you may want to call a professional if you're unsure where to begin.

2. Unbalanced Doors

Unbalanced garage doors are a much more serious problem that can pose a potential safety hazard. If your door is severely unbalanced, it may eventually fall or drop off its tracks. Not only can a falling garage door severely harm a person, but it can also ruin the door and its hardware or even cause damage to your home.

An unbalanced door will often make a noticeable noise as it opens and closes and may rattle as it moves on its track. You'll also often hear the sound of the door opener motor straining since an unbalanced door is much more difficult to move. Stop using your door and contact a professional immediately if you notice these sounds.

3. Failed Torsion Springs

Failed or failing torsion springs produce a noticeable, often very loud, popping sound as your door moves. Torsion springs are a critical part of your garage door since they bear most of the weight. A failed torsion spring will prevent your garage door from opening, even if your garage door motor is still working.

Note that not every popping sound means that your spring is failing. The spring may also require adjustment or lubrication, and new springs may make noise for some time. However, torsion springs are incredibly dangerous, so you should never attempt to diagnose or repair problems with them yourself. If you notice popping sounds from your springs, it's time to call an expert.

For more information about garage door repair, contact a local company.