3 Steps To Keeping Your Garage Door Rolling Smoothly

Every time you open and close your garage door it uses a set of roller wheels rolling on a metal track. Keeping the rollers and the two tracks in good working order is a key component in garage door maintenance.

One of the biggest problems that lead to roller, or track problems with your garage door, is dirt and grime. Here are 3 easy steps to keep your rollers and the roller tracks in good working order. Performing these simple cleaning steps at least once a year can add life to your garage door rollers, plus help you avoid unnecessary repairs.

Step 1: Keep the Roller Bearings and Internal Housing Clean

Keeping dirt from building up inside the roller housing itself is very helpful, and can go a long way towards extending the life of your rollers. To keep the roller bearings and the inside of the roller wheels clean, you can either purchase, or rent, a small air compressor. Plus you need to have a toothbrush handy.

Lightly brush the outside of each roller ball housing with your toothbrush to free up any hardened dirt, plus loosen up clumps of dust. Then use a small nozzle end on your air compressor to blow the inside of each roller ball clean.

Finish by blowing any excess dirt and dust off the wheels and out of the track. This should be the first step in the roller and track cleaning process so you will not have to repeat the following steps a second time.

Step 2: Check the Roller Hinges and Brackets

This step might not seem as important as the other two, but checking each bolt that secures your rollers to the garage door can help you avoid a major problem. When the hinge system becomes loose, even slightly, it can cause the door bearings to wear unevenly. This will cause the roller to wear out faster, or worse, the roller pin will not roll correctly, causing it to bind.

Even when the rollers are out of alignment, or bent, the force behind the garage door opener will still be enough to keep the door going up and down. But, if you check closely, the process will not be smooth like it's supposed to be.

The door will jump slightly, and this can bend the roller shaft, dislodge the bearings, or break the roller completely off. Taking a simple box end ratchet and checking the hinge bolts each time you clean your garage door track system can save you a huge headache later.

Step 3: Clean the Roller Wheels and the Track

After you have cleaned the roller housing and tightened any loose roller hinges, you should finish your maintenance with a complete cleaning of the wheels and the tracks. Investing in a couple inexpensive items can make the job easier.

Purchase two microfiber cleaning clothes just for your garage door roller system. Wipe off each roller wheel and the entire roller track, especially the groove. After you have each wheel wiped clean and the track dusted, determine what type of wheel you have.

Nylon wheels will not need any type of lubricant. If your wheels are metal, then purchase a can of silicone spray to lightly lubricate the wheels. Spray just a little on the wheel and the bearing housing. Take your second microfiber cloth and wipe away any excess lubricant. Finish by wiping down the inside of the roller track, evening out the coating of silicone lubricant.

With you roller bearings working correctly, plus your wheels and the track clean and lubricated, you will be able to avoid unnecessary repair costs caused by a dirty garage door roller system. To learn more, contact a company like Garbers Of Richmond Inc. with any questions or concerns you have.


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