It can be absolutely terrifying when your garage door begins to violently shake. After all, you’ve likely used the overhead door for the last few years and haven’t had any issues. Of all the things that happen during the day, it’s a known quantity that the garage door will open and close in a smooth fashion like it normally does – until it doesn’t. The largest entryway into your home, you have an expectation that the overhead garage door will remain sturdy and in place. A shaking or vibrating door is concerning and is a significant safety risk. Immediately stop using it and consult a garage door service. While you wait for the repair company to come over, you can understand why exactly your door is vibrating and what you can do going forward to stop it from happening again.
Check Your Garage Door Springs
A lot of garage door repairs and issues can stem from faulty, broken, or rusted springs. There’s a possibility that your springs have become unbalanced, which can lead to a shaking door. An unbalanced spring is extremely dangerous, especially if the door is repeatedly used and the issue isn’t fixed as soon as possible. Open and close your garage door and see where exactly it shakes. If it’s shaking more on one end, then it’s a strong possibility that your springs are unbalanced. Spring repair should only be handled by repair companies and professionals. Tampering with springs without experience could force the part to snap, which can lead to physical injury, as well as the door to come crashing down.
Check Your Tracks
If you notice that your springs don’t require repair or replacement, you can take a look at your door’s tracks. These tracks help the door navigate up and down in a smooth manner, guiding it to its destination. If the tracks go out of alignment, it’s a fact that the overhead door will begin to shake violently when used. Open the door and take a look at the tracks. Are they out alignment? This has likely forced the door off track, which is a common garage door repair. While it’s possible to use a hammer or mallet to get the tracks back on alignment, it’s recommended that you work with a garage door service if you’ve never done this repair before. Going forward, be sure to tighten down tracks every few months as the vibration of the door can cause them to shift.
Check Your Rollers
If your garage door springs and tracks are okay, pay attention to the door’s rollers. These rollers guide along the track, helping the door open and close. If one of the rollers is not tight, it can cause the door to shake. Due to general wear and tear, rollers will need to be replaced every few years, so don’t be surprised if this is the issue you face. You can check the rollers by opening the door and looking at them. If they are loose, you can try to tighten them yourself. If the door continues to shake, it’s time to replace them all together. Simply take a photo of your current rollers and head to the hardware store, an attendant will be able to find a suitable replacement.
Check Your Garage Door Opener
If all else has failed, take the time to inspect your garage door opener. Ostensibly the mothership of the entire system, the overhead door opener is responsible for everything working together. Thanks to a push of a button, the opener commands the door to move. If the opener is not working properly, it can cause the door to shake. You can check the opener by opening the door and looking at it. Typically, this is a thorough repair that should only be done by experts. Garage door openers can last many years and it would not be pragmatic to mess with its intricate design.
Most garage door repairs involving a shaking door should be done by garage door repair companies. Working with experts means that they can guarantee their work and come back if anything goes awry. While there are DIY repairs you can do as a homeowner, when it comes to a garage door that rattles or shakes excessively, you don’t want to risk getting injured. Not only could a hopeful repair send you to the hospital, but it could also excessively damage your door.