Many homes have garage doors that struggle to go up and down due to a lack of maintenance. This usually leads to something bad happening at the worst possible time. One of the most important parts and often most overlooked is the garage door roller. In this comprehensive guide, we answer all of your pressing questions about garage door rollers, including how to tell when they’re damaged, how to maintain and repair them, and how to choose the best rollers on the market.
How rollers get damaged
Damage can be caused to rollers in a number of ways:
- Lack of lubrication- perhaps you have been using a little amount of lax with lubricating the rollers? Neglecting this task can result in a rust build-up, which can eventually render the rollers useless.
- Material – Nylon rollers, or any type of plastic rollers, are more susceptible to wear and tear.
- Bent hinges – you may be surprised to hear that faulty hinges can impact rollers. Misshapen hinges can throw off the 90-degree angle of the door, putting more strain on the garage door rollers.
- Incorrect rating- always check that the rating for the rollers matches the weight of your door. Choosing rollers with a rating not suited to a heavier type of garage door can cause the roller to wear out more quickly.
How to tell if garage door rollers need replacing
These signs may differ between types of rollers and types of garage doors – if in doubt, check
with a professional who can give a more certain diagnosis.
- Popping sound – If you hear an unusual ‘popping’ sound every time you open or close your garage, this could indicate that it is time to get the rollers replaced. It could be the sound of the rollers.
- Loose roller – If the roller is loose or too easy to wiggle, this may mean that it is time to replace the roller. Ideally, a healthy roller should have no wiggle room.
- Cracked or missing rubber – The performance of a roller will be hindered if it is missing pieces or cracked.
- Vibrations when opening or closing the door – This shuddering feeling may stem from loose rollers or rollers that are likely to leave the rails/tracks.
- Rust – Metal rollers are susceptible to rust if they are not regularly cared for. If they become too rusty, this can radically reduce their quality.
How to fix or replace garage door rollers
It’s important to quickly repair faulty rollers – leaving it too long can stress other parts of the door, including the roller, which can lead to other issues. Attempting to DIY fix or replace your own garage door rollers can come with its pitfalls. For example, when replacing rollers, the entire garage door may fall away and cause injury. Also, any work that involves moving parts always has an element of danger.
Don’t change the potential injury, or the risk of making the problem worse – instead, get a professional to look at it. A specialist such as Doormatic knows the ins and outs of a variety of garage door makes and models, and can offer comprehensive servicing and repair for any issue.
If your garage door is starting to sound like a train coming down the tracks, it is probably a good time to replace the rollers. Quality garage door rollers will quiet down your door dramatically resulting in smooth operation during the open and close cycle.
Replacing the rollers on your garage door before they fail will prevent your door from coming off track and help to quiet down the largest moving object in your home. Openshut specializes in garage door repairs and installation Contact Openshut Today