Does your garage door make alarming squeaking sounds when it opens and closes? Chances are good that your rollers are in desperate need of lubrication. It could alsbe a sign of serious wear and tear, and looming safety issues.
Think of garage door rollers like your knees. They support the weight of the door as it opens and closes, just as your knees support the weight of your body as you sit and stand. However, unlike you before a workout, your garage door rollers never get a chance twarm up before being put twork.
Fun fact! A single garage door cycle is 1 opening + 1 closing.
Dyou know the many ways in which your garage door performs? Watch this video . We highlight just what your door goes through every single day.
That lack of warmup prior tuse, as well as the fact that they carry the door’s full weight, make care vital in extending the life of your rollers. It’s alsimportant for extending your garage door’s lifespan and avoiding safety challenges.
In this article, you’ll learn from a professional garage door technician as we explain the basics of garage door roller maintenance, as well as identifying when it is time treplace them.
First –What Kind of Garage Door Rollers DYou Have on Your Garage Door?
You’ll find three types of garage door rollers in use today:
- Black Rubber: These rollers dnot have ball bearings, and are primarily used on doors under 10 feet wide.
- Steel: Steel rollers use ball bearings and can be used on all types of doors. They should have at least 10 bearings per roller.
- Nylon: These are better for situations where quiet operation is needed. You should have at least 12 rollers per door.
Most homes have garage doors that require two-inch diameter rollers.
Before Starting tWork, Always Cut Off the Power!
The first thing tdbefore anything else is tobserve safety. Make sure you cut the power tthe garage door opener. Unplugging it will be enough. Trying twork on a garage door that still has power is dangerous and can easily lead tserious injury.
How tLubricate Your Garage Door Rollers?
Lubrication is important for garage door rollers. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way tgabout this. Never use oil-based lubricants. Ever. That applies tall three types (rubber, steel, and nylon).
Most oil-based lubricants actually work as degreasers. The problem is that your rollers need, well, grease. Using a degreasing agent on your rollers is the equivalent of pouring cement intthem.
Instead of oil-based products, always use a silicone-based lubricate tensure proper maintenance. However, you’ll alsneed tfollow the right approach with each type of roller:
- Steel: With steel rollers, you can lubricate the bearings directly.
- Nylon/Exposed: If you have nylon rollers with exposed bearings, apply the lubricant tthe outside, and where the shaft meets the rollers.
- Nylon/Sealed: If you have nylon rollers with sealed bearings, you don’t need tworry about lubrication. They will last the lifetime of your garage door.
Important Lubrication Tips
- The straw that comes with the can ensures accuracy
- Coat lightly
- Wipe off excess immediately
- Rollers should ROLL NOT SLIDE
- You should lubricate rollers every six months
Don’t put away your lubricant just yet. There are other parts you need to maintain, too. Here are a few other areas tcheck:
- Door hinges
- Door locks
- Armbars and bearing plates
- Springs (these are dangerous and should only be maintained by
your garage door maintenance specialist).
Should You Gwith Nylon or Steel?
In the event that you have treplace your garage door rollers, which should you gfor – nylon or steel? Steel is durable, but nylon gets the vote. Why, though? While they cost a little bit more, you’ll find that they are more durable, offer quieter operation, and will last around 10 years on average.
If you dhave treplace your garage door rollers, which tbuy – nylon or steel rollers 🤔?
According tTim, from GarageTransformed , steel rollers are noisy, short-lived, and prone tdamage.
How a PrWould Replace Your Garage Door Rollers?
Safety Disclaimer : Dnot try treplace your garage door rollers on your own.
When working on your garage door, never loosen the securing bolts that attach the bottom of the tracks tthe garage door. Never remove the cable, either.
Failure tfollow these warnings can result in the spring snapping, causing damage tyour property or even personal injury/death. Why is it so dangerous? Garage doors are very heavy, and the springs are under immense tension.
So, what dyou dif you need treplace your garage door rollers? It’s highly recommended that you get in touch with your local garage door & opener technician thelp with any maintenance, repairs, or replacement needs. Otherwise, you can follow the steps below:
- Unplug: Make sure you’ve unplugged the garage door opener. Never work on any part of the system with the opener plugged in.
- Unwind the springs using a winding bar. Hinges and rollers should be replaced with the door closed, but you must unwind the springs with the door open. Use a pair of vice grips tlock the springs in place.
- Remove the rollers. Tdthis, you will need to:
- Locate and loosen the screws holding the rollers.
- Tap out the hinge trelease it.
- DONE AT A TIME. Remove the hinge, replace the roller, then replace the hinges, before moving tthe next.
- Remove the old roller.
- Install new rollers as follows:
- Slide the roller in, making sure it is in the right hole.
- Tip the roller sthat it slides ontthe track.
- Align the hinge with the boltholes.
- Use larger screws or Loctite tsecure the assembly.
- Tap the bolts from the outside in and then tighten the nut.
- Repeat this process for each roller.
- Rewind the springs using a winder bar.
You Want Professionals Handling Your Garage Door Rollers Replacement and Your Garage Door Maintenance?
That’s a smart choice.
Even those with some experience working on garage doors can quickly find themselves in danger.
You can contact us at 905-642-6606.
We’re experts in everything related tgarage doors and we’re here thelp.
In addition ta tune-up service, we can alsanswer your questions, show you new garage doors, and much more. Take a moment texplore our services and repairs.
Ready tgo? You can request an email quote.
Is it time treplace not just the rollers, but the entire garage door?
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