Understanding when to replace garage door rollers is key to maintaining the lifespan of your garage door.
A garage door is often the largest opening in a home, and the doors are designed to take some abuse. However, over time it’s normal for you to notice that your door has become stiff or difficult to open completely. This may be due to worn-out rollers on the track. If this is happening, now would be a good time for you to consider replacing them so they don’t cause any more problems down the road!
In this article, you will discover when to replace garage door rollers.
When to Replace Garage Door Rollers
There are so many different moving parts to your garage door. With regular maintenance, you should be able to spot when parts need to be replaced before they break down entirely. How can you know if your rollers need to be replaced?
Here’s when to replace garage door rollers.
The Importance Of Your Garage Door Rollers
What are your garage door rollers, and what do they do? These are the parts that attach your garage door to the track, allowing it to move up and down when you need to open and close it. They’re a rod and wheel system, and every time you open that door, they’re hard at work.
As such, they are susceptible to wear and tear over time. You won’t be able to avoid this, but you will need to be able to spot the signs before they get out of hand.
What Happens When Garage Door Rollers Break Down?
If you miss the signs of the garage door rollers getting older and more worn out, you will soon see the signs in your garage door. They can wear out, loosen, or bend, and that will all affect the way the door operates. If you’re seeing jerky motions when you use the door, that’s a sign that they’re wearing out.
If the roller has cracked or broken, it can also jam the garage door. This stops it from closing all the way and obviously isn’t ideal for security. It’s also not great if your car is trapped in the garage at the time. Plus, the longer the door is open, the more pests are able to get into your garage and start nesting.
The longer that damage is left, the worse it will become. Plus, it will cause damage to other parts of the garage door system. That’s why it’s so important to replace garage door rollers as soon as possible.
Signs Your Garage Door Rollers Need To Be Replaced
There are several signs you need to look out for when using your garage door. These will let you know that the rollers are on their way out, and need to be replaced.
Cycle ratings: When you first have your garage door installed, you’ll have cycle ratings on the parts. That will give you an idea of how long the rollers will have before they start to wear out. This is a good general idea, but remember that the parts can wear out prematurely.
Visible damage: It’s a good idea to do regular maintenance checks on your garage door. If the rollers are showing visible damage, then you know you’ll need to replace them sooner, rather than later. Look for cracking and chipping, as well as bent and loose parts. If your rollers have ball bearings, check them for loose seals.
Garage door operation changes: You’ll often see changes in the way your garage door operates that are due to damaged rollers. This includes squeaking or grinding when you open and close it. It can also lead to irregular or slow garage door movement.
How Long Do Garage Door Rollers Last?
The lifespan of your garage door rollers will depend on the type that you have. There are several different types, so it’s a good idea to understand which one is installed on your door.
- Plastic rollers: These will typically have a lifespan of a few years. They’re a very basic and inexpensive type, so they may not be the best for your garage door.
- Steel rollers with ball bearings: These will last around 10 to 15 years, depending on how well they’re maintained. However, they are quite noisy in operation.
- Steel rollers without ball bearings: These are similar to plastic rollers, in which they will only last a few years.
- Nylon rollers: These are considered to be the longest lasting rollers, giving you anywhere between 12 to 20 years. Again, this depends on how well you take care of them. They’re going to be the most expensive option, but they are the quietest and give the best performance.
How to Improve The Lifespan Of Garage Door Rollers
No matter what kind of garage door rollers you have, you will need to take good care of them. When you do so, you’ll get the maximum use out of them.
The first way to do so is to regularly lubricate the rollers. Lubrication is essential for all moving parts on a garage door, to ensure everything can keep working smoothly. When lubricating, choose a lithium-based spray grease. This allows you to get into all the moving parts with ease. This should usually be done twice a year.
Once you do have your rollers replaced, make sure you’re getting the highest quality rollers possible. No matter how well you look after plastic rollers, they only have a few years in them. Ideally, you should go with nylon rollers with ball bearings. Take care of them, and you’ll get years and years of operation out of them.
Replacing Garage Door Rollers
Eventually, your garage door rollers will wear out, and that means you’ll need to replace them. There is no shortage of how-to guides online about replacing them, but when it comes to your garage door, things should always be left to the professionals.
This is because even the most experienced DIYer won’t have the experience that a garage door expert has. They will have been working on garage doors for years, and so will be able to do top-quality work that will last for as long as possible. As well as this, they’ll be able to work on the garage door safely. It’s always smarter to pay for an expert than try and do the work yourself.
Your rollers are an essential part of your garage door, and you need to be able to have them working every time you open and close the door. Now, you’ll be able to spot when they’re wearing out, and know when to have them replaced.