Garage doors are the biggest mechanisms in a house and depending on the quality, some garage doors can last for a lifetime with the right care and maintenance. The upkeep for garage doors can be arduous and can cost a lot of money especially if you plan on getting professionals to do the job. But if garage door rollers are your only problem, this one can be an easy fix.
Garage door rollers are the most used part of the whole mechanism that’s the reason why they can wear out or crack in a couple of years. They enable an entire garage door to lift and drop and if used frequently, can do some strain on your rollers. Luckily, are very easy to maintain. There are several ways you can do to keep your garage door rollers running smoothly.
The great thing about this is that you’ll only have to do this once or twice a year and it will only take a few minutes of your day to finish everything. Here are a few reminders to keep in mind when replacing and maintaining a garage door roller.
1. Inspect your Garage Door Rollers Thoroughly
This is the most important thing to do before anything else. Make sure that you have assessed and paid attention to every movement and sound coming from your garage door. A few good questions to note are:
- Does it make an odd or scratching noise?
- Is it moving smoothly or does it pause at certain points?
- Are the rollers working perfectly fine or does it have cracks?
The easiest way to know if your rollers are wearing out is to grab the roller in the track and try to wiggle it to see how loose or broken they are. Doing this helps you determine if your garage door rollers need some replacements. You might also be able to determine other parts of the mechanism that might need some repair.
2. Consider Your Budget for the Replacements
While rollers are not significantly expensive, it is important to consider your allotted budget to gauge and minimize your options when buying the rollers. Depending on the brand and quality, there are going to be instances when splurging for good quality rollers are necessary especially when you frequently use your garage doors.
3. Get Better Quality Rollers
There are different types of garage door rollers and depending on the frequency of your garage door use, you might want to consider the quality of the rollers that you have. If you are always using your garage doors then the chances of your rollers getting worn out are high.
- Nylon rollers are considered to have the best quality from the rest of the materials as they are usually heavy-duty and does not make noise when used. They also last very long and only need a few replacements every 5 years or more. They can come a bit more pricey than the others but they’re not really that expensive in general.
- Steel rollers are also great alternatives and can come in different varieties. But over time, these steel rollers can mold onto the track, and eventually, fall-off.
- The cheapest you might find are plastic rollers which are only good for 2-3 years and have no ball bearings. These are only recommended for entry-level garage doors.
You might also want to consider the brand before buying it. Some brands like Ideal Security, Inc. and Fehr Bros. have gained a reputation for having really good quality rollers. They both have very sturdy rollers and last a very long time. Brands such as National and F&T also have amazing rollers to consider. There are plenty of brands in the market today but choosing one that already has a good reputation can help you with your decision-making.
4. Lubricate the Ball Bearings
Great quality rollers to not need frequent lubrication as their ball bearings can just glide smoothly without pausing or making a noise. However, it is still important to oil your ball bearings once every three months. This will keep the strain off the rollers while the garage doors go up or down.
Keep in mind that plastic rollers do not need lubrication as it might damage the hinges over time and cause them to easily break, and if you are considering nylon rollers, make sure that you do not get any lubricant on the nylon itself as this may damage the material.
5. Check the Balance and Symmetry of the Mechanism
Making sure that your garage door is completely balanced will lessen the load on the garage door roller every time it is used. This will help prolong the life of your rollers if properly assessed. If it looks uneven, your rollers might be having problems on one side or possibly, even both sides.
If you’ve changed your rollers but the door still looks uneven, you might want to consider seeking a professional’s help. You might have other problems in your garage door like broken springs or loose bolts. This could be a bit hard to work on and very rarely is this handled by inexperienced people since this could affect other parts of the mechanism and cause serious accidents to happen.
We recommend calling a professional to do this especially if you have no proper tools and lack mechanical knowledge.
6. Choose the Right Roller Size
Garage door rollers can come in different sizes and you need to get the right one so you don’t have to go back to the hardware. You’ll need to measure the roller head and the stem or the shaft of your current rollers. The actual size of the roller might be 1/4 inch shorter than the roller’s listed size. This is to ensure that your roller fits in your garage door correctly. This is very important to note especially if the measurements of your garage door are non-standard or custom made.
If you cannot find any size that is close to your current roller, then you might want to consider having your rollers custom made. This might be pricey, but it’s going to be worth it in the long run.
7. Consider the Number of Ball Bearings in the Roller
Ball bearings are the materials found inside a roller that help it move smoothly. It is the most important part of a roller and it makes up for the quality as well. Having more ball rollers can reduce rotational friction and support the load better, which makes the rollers last longer. It is important to consider whether you’ll be needing a roller with more ball bearings as this can help you reduce cost and maintenance in the long run.
8. Consider the Material Used in the Roller Stems
It is important to take note that the stems also play a significant part in a roller’s quality. Opt for stainless steel stems that do not corrode over time. Cheaper stems might rust easily and break in the long run.
9. Check on the Weight that the Roller Can Take
Make sure that you check the weight that each of the rollers can take before purchasing. If the roller supports a different weight than your garage door, it might cause serious damage or worse, it might lead to accidents. Buying the right roller that supports the weight of your garage door not only improves the quality of its movement but it also prolongs the lifespan of the garage door.
10. Seek a Professional’s Help
If you are unsure or inexperienced when it comes to replacing your garage door rollers, the last resort would be to get a professional to do the assessment and replacement for you. Nothing beats the idea of seeking a professional’s help. They might also be able to detect if your garage door is having other problems other than your rollers. This might come with a hefty price, but it will surely put your mind at ease. Make sure to keep notes on how your rollers are replaced so you can do it by yourself next time.
Buying the correct roller is a very crucial decision to make to ensure that you properly maintain the lifespan of your garage door. It can make or break your garage door, literally and cause unwanted damage. At the end of the day, this about allowing your investment for an overall great garage door to last for many years.
There is no secret formula in choosing the right kind of roller for your garage door. However, there are things that you will have to consider and know before deciding to buy and replace them. This ensures that you are making the right choices and the best decision for maintaining the biggest mechanism in your house.
A good estimate as to when you’ll change your rollers is when you also plan to replace your springs. They can go hand-in-hand with the mechanism so it is good to have them both replaced at the same time.
