Roller garage door maintenance: a simple checklist

Quick answer

Look after a roller garage door by testing the safety edge and photocells monthly, keeping the guide rails clean and clear of debris, and washing the curtain with mild soapy water. Don't oil the guides unless the manufacturer says so. Leave springs, limits, the motor and anything inside the roller box to an engineer, and book a regular service.

What maintenance does a roller garage door need?

A roller garage door needs little maintenance: regular safety tests, clean guide rails, an occasional wash and a periodic service by an engineer.

Most of what keeps a roller door working well is simply keeping dirt, leaves and grit out of the guides, and noticing early when something sounds or looks different. The jobs in this guide are safe for a homeowner to do. Anything involving the springs, the motor settings or the inside of the roller box needs an engineer, because the curtain is heavy and the barrel can hold stored energy.

It also helps to keep a simple note of when you tested the safety devices and when the door was last serviced. If the door starts to slow down, reverse for no clear reason or sound different, you'll know roughly when it began, which helps an engineer find the cause faster.

What should I check every month?

Every month, test the safety devices with a soft object, look along the guides and curtain, and listen to the door through a full cycle.

Safety test. Close the door onto an empty cardboard box in the doorway. It should stop and reverse on contact, or stop before reaching the box if photocells see it. Our safety guide sets out the steps.
Photocells. Wipe the lenses with a soft dry cloth and check nothing blocks the beam.
Guides. Look for leaves, grit or objects in the guide channels, especially at the bottom.
Curtain. Check for dented or bowed laths, and that the bottom rail sits level when closed.
Sound. Listen for new grinding, scraping or clicking as the door moves.
Override. Check the winding handle is still where you can find it.

What should I do each season?

Each season, clean the guides and curtain, check the bottom seal and look after the remotes, with a few extra checks for autumn and winter.

When	What to do
Spring	Wash the curtain with mild soapy water and rinse. Wipe out the guide channels with a damp cloth.
Summer	Check the rubber seal on the bottom rail for splits. Replace remote batteries if the range has dropped.
Autumn	Clear leaves from the guides and the floor in front of the door. Check the drive drains away from the opening.
Winter	Clear snow and ice from the bottom of the door before you open it. Don't force a door that is frozen to the floor.

If you live near the sea, rinse the curtain and guides with fresh water more often to remove salt. All year round, keep bins, bikes and plant pots clear of the opening so nothing ends up under the curtain.

Should I oil or grease a roller garage door?

Don't oil or grease the guide rails unless your manufacturer's instructions say so, because many roller doors are designed to run dry or with a dry or silicone lubricant only.

Oil and grease in the guides attract dust and grit, which builds into a sticky paste that makes the door noisier and wears the lath ends and guides faster. If your door is noisy, clean the guides first. If it's still noisy after cleaning, check your instructions for the lubricant the manufacturer allows, or book a service. Never spray anything into the motor, the control box or the roller box.

Which jobs should I leave to an engineer?

Leave anything involving springs, motor limits, force settings, the roller box, the barrel or damaged laths to an engineer.

Opening the roller box or adjusting the barrel and springs.
Setting or resetting the motor's open and closed limits, or the force settings.
Replacing a safety edge, photocells or a control box.
Replacing damaged or bowed laths, or a bent bottom rail.
Any curtain that has come out of its guides or hangs crooked.

These parts carry the weight of the curtain and control the safety of a powered door, so a mistake can cause injury or damage. Our problems guide explains safe checks you can make first.

How often should a roller garage door be serviced?

A regular service is sensible for any electric roller door, and a yearly service suits a door in daily use, unless your manufacturer's instructions recommend a different interval.

At a service the engineer checks the curtain, guides, bottom rail and seal, tests the safety edge and photocells, checks the motor runs smoothly and stops in the right places, and cleans the guides. A service on one door is £89–£139 inc VAT, with the visit price agreed before we come out. See our servicing page for what's included.

Questions

Can I use WD-40 on my roller garage door?

It's best not to spray general-purpose oils into the guides unless your manufacturer's instructions say you can. Oily residue attracts dust and grit, which can make the door noisier and wear the guides and lath ends. Many roller doors are designed to run dry or with a dry or silicone lubricant only. Clean the guides first, and check your instructions before using anything else.

How do I clean a roller garage door?

Wash the curtain with warm water and a mild detergent using a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with clean water. Wipe out the guide channels with a damp cloth to remove grit. Avoid abrasive pads, solvents and harsh cleaners, which can damage the factory finish. Keep water away from the motor control box and any electrical parts.

Do manual roller garage doors need servicing too?

Yes, though they have fewer parts to check. A manual door relies on springs in the barrel to balance the curtain, and those springs, the guides and the lock benefit from an occasional check by an engineer. If a manual door becomes noticeably heavier to lift or won't stay up, stop using it and request a visit, as the springs may need attention.