Nobody likes inconveniences, right? What if you’re in a hurry one morning to get to a meeting only to discover that your garage door refuses to budge? That’s probably one of the lamest excuses you could give your boss.
Maybe you’re even planning to put your home on the market, but not until you get that cranky roller door patched up. Don’t wait until the last minute to call the technician to fix your door; instead, stay ahead of this predicament by looking out for the imminent signs that you need to get your roller door fixed.
Check for unusual noises.
One of the obvious signs that your roller door needs repair is if it’s producing unlikely noises. There are usually a few reasons why they’re like that, so be mindful of the following noises:
Grinding or squealing sound. When you hear noises like these, it’s time to call for roller door repair service because this just means that your rollers are already worn out. Apart from the rollers, it could also be caused by the panel getting off tracks; either way, you should immediately call for garage door services before it worsens and costs you a lot more than you initially thought.
Clicking or popping sound. On the other hand, if you’re hearing a clicking or popping sound whenever you try to open or close it, then it’s most probably because of a loose or broken torsion spring. Like every part of the mechanism, the torsion spring is susceptible to wear and tear, and in their case, the torsion spring locks up, which produces the popping sounds. If you’re not sure how to handle this problem, you could always call repair services, but if you know how to check it, just see if the torsion spring is still in good condition. If it is, then applying a good old lubricant can fix this problem in a jiffy.
Difficulty in opening or closing.
Another more pressing problem owners face is when roller doors are hard to close or open, and there are several reasons why they’re doing so. But before we proceed, it’s important to identify if your door is hard to open manually or if it just opens slowly. For the former, it means that the problem is most likely caused by its mechanism, and for the latter, it is because of motor or spring issues.
If your roller door is pretty old, then there’s also the possibility that it has a rusted roller. Lubricating them usually does the trick, but if they’re still hard to open after doing this, then you might have to replace them since roller doors have reached their maximum cycle limit.
Of course, we can’t rule out automatic roller doors, which pose a different set of problems. Difficulty closing or opening them can be due to faulty sensors, misaligned tracks, or even broken springs. For cases like these, it’s best to call your roller door repair services and let the professionals handle this one.
Check for visible damage.
Finally, check if your roller door’s panel has any damage to it. As we all know, the panel needs to be smooth so it can glide smoothly. If there are any bent or damaged parts, your door might not be able to fully open or close, which can pose a safety risk. Other than that, there’s also the fact that your roller door’s structural integrity may be compromised if you have loose panels or cables too.
If you notice any of the aforementioned signs, then it’s time to call for roller door repairs to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of your home and belongings.
If you want to conduct maintenance on your roller door, here are a few safety reminders you should take when doing so.
- Take safety precautions. Wear safety gear when performing the check-up, and never leave your door partially opened when inspecting.
- Conduct a visual examination. See if there is any rust or corrosion in the panels, rollers, or any place where there is friction between metals.
- Check for signs of poor operation. Try opening and closing your doors slowly and checking if they’re operating at the right speed.
- Use lubricant for moving parts. Roller doors usually need lubrication, especially mechanical components like springs and shafts; keep in mind to follow the manufacturer’s guide when applying lubricant.
- Clear up any debris. Make sure to clean your roller door’s tracks regularly: clear off any dust, dirt, or grease that are hindering your door’s operation.
Most important of all, never attempt to fix your roller door by yourself because the chances of you botching it up are higher and it could cost you more at the end of the day.
