Rollers are a key component of your garage door system. These rod-and-wheel systems connect the door to a set of tracks, allowing it to open and close swiftly and smoothly.

Every time you operate your garage door, the rollers are hard at work. Due to gradual wear and tear, however, they require periodic replacement. Here’s everything you need to know about replacing your garage door rollers.

The Importance of Replacing Defective Rollers

When rollers begin to wear, loosen, or bend, they can cause your garage door to open and close more slowly or in a jerky manner. This puts more strain on the garage door opener system, which ultimately decreases its lifespan.

A cracked or broken roller can also result in a jam that prevents your door from closing all the way. This could make entering or leaving your garage with your car impossible. It could also make your home temporarily vulnerable to thieves, vermin, and inclement weather.

Finally, if the rollers aren’t working correctly, the system’s components can get damaged. It’s best to replace worn out rollers in a timely manner so as to avoid further damage and the need for costly repairs.

When Do Rollers Need to Be Replaced?

Like garage door springs, rollers have cycle ratings, which means that they’re expected to last for a specified number of cycles. When you open and close your garage door, this counts as one cycle. The average residential garage door is opened and closed about three to five times per day or 1,500 times per year.

Generally, you can refer to the documentation for your garage door system to find the service life for its components, including the rollers. With a basic calculation, you can determine when your rollers are supposed to be replaced.

Nylon rollers, for example, are commonly rated at 10,000 cycles. This type of roller should therefore last six to seven years.

If your rollers are near the end of their expected lifespan, it’s time to replace them.

Lifespans of Different Garage Door Rollers

There are several types of garage door rollers and they differ substantially in quality and lifespan. They include:

• Plastic rollers, which are the most basic type. They usually last only a few years.
• Steel rollers with ball bearings. These last about 10 to 15 years, if well maintained. That said, they’re the noisiest option.
• Steel rollers without ball bearings. Like plastic rollers, these are builder-grade rollers that will only last a couple of years.
• Nylon rollers have a lifespan of 12 to 20 years, depending on their quality. They’re the most expensive option, but also the quietest and best performing.

Signs That Your Garage Door Rollers Need To Be Replaced

Cycle ratings are useful as a yardstick, but frequently rollers become prematurely worn or damaged and need to be replaced sooner. This is why it’s important to inspect them periodically.

In particular, look for visible damage or signs of wear. This includes cracking and chipping as well as bent and loose components (for example a loose connection between the rod and wheel). Rollers with ball bearings should also be inspected for broken seals.

Other signs that your rollers are overly worn or damaged include irregular or slow garage door operation and noises such as squeaking or grinding.

Be sure to inspect your rollers on a periodic basis and have your garage door system professionally inspected at least once a year. A garage door professional will thoroughly inspect and lubricate the rollers when performing regular maintenance.

Getting Garage Door Rollers Replaced

Garage door roller replacement is a task that’s best left to a professional, like Creative Door Services^TM. Garage doors are intricate systems. They’re also very heavy and under extreme tension. Do-it-yourself repairs can result in expensive mistakes or, worse, serious injury. If your rollers are old, worn, or damaged, turn to a qualified professional, who will have the needed equipment and expertise.

How To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Rollers

If you have rollers with bearings, then lubrication is essential to maintaining them and potentially helping to extend their lifespan. This task should be performed at least twice a year. To learn more, read our guide on how to lubricate and maintain your rollers.

If you’re getting new rollers, be sure to choose a high-quality product that will last for many years, ideally nylon rollers with ball bearings. Speak with a qualified garage door professional for product recommendations.

Garage Door Roller Replacement In Western Canada

Turn to the experienced team at Creative Door Services™ if you’re looking to replace worn-out or damaged rollers or upgrade to high-performance ones. We supply top-quality garage door parts and provide superior maintenance and repair services. To schedule a service call, contact us at one of our locations in Vancouver, British Columbia; Kelowna, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.