When Do You Need to Get Your Garage Door Rollers Repaired?

Garage doors can be finicky things. Everything from the weather to time can make them start to creak and go wrong, especially if it's been a while since the last time they've been serviced. If you've noticed that your door is started to slow down or rumble when you open and close it, here are three things to check the rollers for:

1. Is there a buildup of dust and dirt on the rollers? Even if you regularly sweep for leaves and dirt, particles can still get stuck in the door's tracks. That accumulation of dust and dirt can either make the door roll back up when you're trying to close it or it can slow the door down too much. Investigate the tracks and rollers for mud, dirt, and even small bits of rock, and use a can of air to clean out the crevices.
2. Is the rail out of alignment? If you hear a rubbing noise or sometimes your door won't close, the track could be out of alignment. Check the rails for bent metal, and look for any gaps between the rail and the rollers. If you see any signs of physical damage, call in a repair technician immediately: forcing the door to work around the damage can make the problem worse, and this is a dangerous repair to do on your own.
3. Do you hear popping noises? Once your garage door starts making noises it shouldn't, that's one of the clearest signs you'll get that one or more of the parts need to be replaced. A popping sound means the door has worn rollers, and the only solution is to have your garage door company replace them. 

Even though garage doors themselves are designed to last a couple of decades, their opening systems have a shorter lifespan due to all the moving parts. If it's been a few years since your door has last been serviced or if you have noticed signs of malfunctions, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us at Overhead Door Company of Lansing.