Garage door rollers are indispensable in ensuring that your garage door opens and closes smoothly.
With most homeowners nowadays using their garage as the main entrance to their home, you may only realize how your garage door is important for your convenience when something goes wrong.
One of the common garage door problems is bad or worn garage door rollers.
In this regard, How Can You Tell If Garage Door Rollers Are Bad?
The telltale sign of damaged garage door rollers is bizarre noise when operating. Sometimes the noise is accompanied by excessive vibration, and the door may jump off its rails. However, the signs may vary depending on whether the problem is specific to the rollers or stems from other parts of your garage door or operating mechanism.
If your garage door is often misaligned and/or produces a clicking sound when moving, it is a sign that something has started to go wrong.
This post will cover more on signs that your garage door needs new rollers.
THREE Signs Your Garage Door Rollers Are Bad
1. Unusual Noises
A garage door in reasonably good condition opens and closes smoothly.
If your garage door is excessively noisy or squeaks loudly when moving, it could be that the rollers are worn (or need to be lubricated).
Loud noise often means that your rollers have become rusted.
While lubricating can help reduce the strange noise, it is imperative to have the garage door examined by a technician.
If a service technician recommends repair or replacement, don’t hesitate.
Garage doors are large and pose a serious threat if not fixed. For your safety and to continue enjoying convenience, it is best to have your rollers repaired or replaced before the situation exacerbates.
2. Excessive Vibrations
Garage door rollers help the door run smoothly along its rails. When the rollers wear out significantly, they can cause the garage door to vibrate excessively when opening or closing.
If your garage door is violently shaking when operating, it’s likely that your rollers are bad. Call a service technician to inspect and fix the garage door.
3. Garage Door Is Out Of Alignment
When in good condition, the garage door rollers help keep the garage door appropriately aligned.
Over time, when the rollers wear out significantly, they won’t offer the necessary support, causing the garage door to run off its rails or slip out of alignment frequently.
A misaligned garage door can lead to many other issues, so it is imperative to replace your rollers immediately.
THREE Common Causes Of Garage Door Roller Problems
While it is natural for garage door rollers to wear out, some practices can accelerate the rate at which they get bad.
Here are some practices that are likely to make your garage door rollers wear out faster:
1. Poor Lubrication
Garage door rollers need to be adequately lubricated to move smoothly.
Without lubrication, they can become rusted and consequently create extra friction.
This will increase the wear-out rate and lead to problems like noise and excessive vibration.
In extreme cases, the rollers can snap, causing the door to come off the track or fall, which can be costly to repair.
2. Dirt And Grime
Greasing your garage door is critical to its operationality.
But did you know over-lubricating your garage door can be a problem? Over time, grease can accumulate in the tracks, attracting dirt and dust.
This can compromise the functioning of the garage door.
For instance, dirt and grime buildup can cause the garage door rollers to slide instead of rolling, which can affect the door’s moving speed.
3. Poorly Anchored Tracks
The garage door tracks need to be correctly anchored for the rollers to function properly.
Otherwise, the rollers may go off track.
If you suspect your garage door tracks are faulty or dented, have them checked and fixed before the situation gets out of control.
While garage door rollers are bound to wear out, proper maintenance, lubrication, and regular inspection can help prevent expensive fixes.
The idea is to ensure that your rollers always stay in reasonably good condition.
When To Replace Garage Door Rollers
No garage door roller will last forever, but every homeowner would want their investment to last the longest.
Garage rollers usually come in three different types: plastic, steel, and nylon.
How long your rollers will last depends on the type, among other factors.
Plastic garage door rollers are standard and last only two to three years.
Steel rollers come with ball bearings that can be lubricated and tend to last a little longer compared to their plastic counterparts.
Typical steel rollers will last over five years.
The biggest problem is that they can be noisy, particularly when unlubricated or not equipped with a nylon tire.
Go for the nylon garage door rollers if you want something more lasting.
They feature the design of a sealed ball bearing, which ensures smooth and quiet operation.
Conclusion
If your garage door is misaligned, noisy, or shaky, it is likely that there is a problem with your rollers.
Whatever the first sign is, if your garage door rollers are bad, it is best to have them repaired or replaced immediately.
