Roller doors are an excellent addition to any home or business as they are durable, secure and require little maintenance. These doors are made of horizontal slats or panels connected by hinges and roll up and down on tracks.

These doors are ideal to use as garage doors or for sheds and commercial warehouses, as they offer excellent insulation and withstand harsh weather conditions.

Basic functions of roller doors

Roller doors operate on a simple mechanism that involves a motor, tracks and panels. The motor powers the door’s movement, and the tracks guide the panels up and down. The panels move up and down in a vertical motion and are held together by hinges. When the door is closed, the panels sit flat against each other, providing a secure barrier against unwanted visitors and weather elements.

Homeowners and business owners install roller doors for practical reasons, such as the following:

• Space-saving: Since roller doors are designed to roll up and down vertically, occupying only minimal space, which is perfect for those with limited space.
• Security: This type of door provides improved security due to its robust body and locking mechanism.
• Easy to operate: Roller doors can be closed or opened using a manual hand crank, a remote, a keypad or an app for motorised roller doors.
• Durable: Roller doors typically have a steel or aluminium body built to stand against harsh weather and usual wear and tear. They are low maintenance because of this as well.

Common roller door problems and solutions

1. Ballooning

Ballooning occurs when the roller door becomes distorted and appears to bulge outward. This problem is caused by the build-up of wind pressure on the door. Ballooning can damage the door or even the entire structure it is attached to if not addressed promptly.

Solution: Install a wind-resistant kit to help prevent the build-up of wind pressure. This kit involves adding locks, reinforcement brackets, and weather strips to the door.

2. Adjustment

Roller doors can become misaligned, causing the door to sit unevenly and making it difficult to operate. Worn-out bearings, rollers, or hinges often cause this problem.

Solution: To adjust a roller door, you must loosen the bolts on the hinge brackets and adjust the door’s position to level. Once the door is level, tighten the bolts and test the door’s operation. If the problem persists, inspect the bearings, rollers, and hinges and replace worn-out parts.

3. Gliderol roller door issues

Gliderol roller doors are a popular type of roller door, but they can develop several problems over time. Some of the common Gliderol roller door problems include:

• Door sticking: The door may get stuck in the tracks, making it difficult to open or close.
• Door jamming: The door may jam when closing, preventing it from locking.
• Door opening on its own: The door may open on its own, even when it is not being operated.

Solution: To fix Gliderol roller door problems, you will need to:

• Inspect the tracks and clean them to ensure smooth operation.
• Tighten the screws and bolts on the door’s hinges, brackets, and tracks to prevent the door from jamming.
• Check the motor and remote control for faults and replace them if necessary.
• Lubricate the door’s moving parts to prevent sticking.

How to reroll a roller door

Rerolling a roller door involves manually winding it up to its fully closed position. This method is useful when the motor or remote control is not working correctly or when the door is misaligned and needs to be reset.

Here are the steps to reroll a roller door:

1. Disconnect the power supply to the motor.
2. Locate the chain or lever on the motor connected to the door and disengage it.
3. Use the handle on the door’s bottom panel to lift the door and pull it down towards the ground.
4. Once the door is fully closed, use the handle to lift the door slightly and engage the locking mechanism.
5. Test the door’s operation by manually lifting it to ensure it moves up and down smoothly.

 

Wrapping it up

Roller doors are an excellent option for those looking for a durable and secure door for their home or business. You can troubleshoot your roller door effectively by understanding these issues and their solutions.

Knowing the potential issues and addressing them appropriately can ensure your roller door continues to operate properly and optimally. Always turn off the motor before attempting any repairs or adjustments, and if in doubt, contact a professional for assistance.