Roll Up Door Repair for Rust, Dents, and Damage

Roll up garage doors are widely used in warehouses, loading zones, workshops, retail spaces, and other commercial spaces. But due to the harsh conditions and heavy use in these areas, garage doors easily sustain rust, dents, and other damages that require immediate roll up door repair. By fixing these issues, you can prevent interruptions to your operation while ensuring that your assets are protected against harsh outdoor elements. To help, we’ve discussed below the common causes of roll up door damage, how to fix them, and when you should call for garage door repair in Los Angeles.

Causes of roll up door damage

Commercial establishments are always busy, with some operating 24/7. And that entire time, roll up doors are opening and closing non-stop, leading to the following causes of damage:

• Constant wear and tear. Commercial roll-up garage doors are often operated for hundreds of cycles every day. This constant operation accelerates wear on springs, rollers, tracks, and other moving parts.
• Heavy traffic.Aside from continuous operation, roll up doors are also exposed to large vehicles, forklifts, and heavy equipment. The constant pressure and occasional impact from these cause dents, misalignment, and even complete failure.
• Physical impact. A truck overshooting at the loading zone? Or a heavy pallet smashing into the door? This intense impact can easily dent and damage roll up doors.
• Outdoor elements.Depending on its location, roll up doors can be exposed to rain, winds, and extreme temperatures that can damage their components.
• Poor maintenance.Since commercial buildings are always busy fulfilling orders or meeting delivery timelines, maintaining their roll up doors is not always a priority. And as dirt and moisture build up, the door will start rusting and deteriorating.

Steps in repairing rust in roll up doors

Rusty roll up doors are typically easy to repair, unless the corrosion is already widespread. But if your door only has minor signs of rust, here are the steps you can take:

Step 1. Inspect your roll up door

First, you need to check your door for any rust spots, from the drums to the curtain and down to the lift handle. See if the rust is just on the surface or has caused extensive damage that might need part replacement.

Step 2. Clean the rusty surface

Next, you need to remove dirt, grease, and loose rust using a wire brush or scraper. After that, wash the area with soap and water and let it dry completely.

Step 3. Sand the affected surface

You need to remove stubborn rust and smooth out rough edges before you move to the next step. For this, you need to use medium to fine-grit sandpaper to sand the rusty areas down to bare metal.

Step 4. Apply a rust converter (as needed)

If you can still see rust, you can apply a rust converter to neutralize it and stop it from spreading. However, if the rust is affecting more than half of the door, it might be time to search for a professional roll up door repair in Los Angeles instead.

Step 5. Prime the surface

Once you’ve removed all visible rust, you should apply a rust-inhibiting metal primer to the cleaned area. This protects against moisture and helps the paint stick better.

Step 6. Paint the door

The last step is to paint your door to protect it against rust-inducing moisture. Make sure you use at least two coats of exterior metal paint for good coverage.

Steps in repairing roll up door dents

Dented roll up doors can get stuck or open unevenly when not repaired. If you’re dealing with this problem, here are basic repair steps you can take:

Step 1. Clean the door

First, clean the dented portion of your roll up door to remove any debris that may get in the way of priming and painting later. Make sure it’s bone-dry to avoid trapping moisture.

Step 2. Tap out the dent

Next, you can use a rubber mallet to tap the dent out from the inside if possible. Use gentle taps to avoid creating new bends or worsening the current damage.

Step 3. Fill deep dents (as needed)

If the dent isn’t popping out, you can try the filler and repaint method instead. You can use an auto body filler on the deep dents, let it cure, and sand the surface to smooth out edges.

Step 4. Prime the surface

If the door’s paint has been chipped or you used the filler method, you need to apply a metal primer to prepare the door for painting.

Step 5. Paint the door

Lastly, paint the repaired section using a compatible exterior paint. Apply at least two coats, ensuring each coat is fully dried before applying another.

Other potential roll up door damages and how to fix them

While rust and dents are the most common roll up door problems, you might also encounter the following:

Loose slats

Are there gaps between your door slats? This means that the clips or fasteners are already worn out. Try tightening the fasteners and see if it will fix the issue. If not, then it’s possible that the slats themselves are already damaged and need replacements.

Drum or shaft issues

Your door’s curtain rolls up into a drum, which is also made of metal and can sustain damage over time. When this happens, your door may roll unevenly, make loud noises, or jam. In this case, you need to look for bends or dents and then straighten them. You should also lubricate the shaft bearings for a smooth operation.

Sticking or jamming door

Sticking or jamming roll up doors are often due to worn-out rollers and obstructed tracks. Clean these components or replace the rollers, and see if it will fix the problem. If not, you can reach out to a garage door service to get your door checked.

Heavily damaged slats

While small dents and rust can be repaired, extensive damage often requires a garage door replacement. This is also the case if multiple slats on your roll up door or large sections of its curtain are already damaged.

When to call for professional roll up door repair services

Are you wondering, should I perform DIY repairs or call a roll up door repair near me? Overall, you can always do DIY repairs on small dents, loose hardware, and minor issues on your roll up door. However, if the damage is widespread, it’s best to call a professional for long-term repairs. Also, if the problems with your roll up door keep coming back after your DIY repairs, it only means you already need a professional service. If you’re in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, you can contact Rock Garage Door Repair for 24/7 and same-day roll up door repair. We can repair or replace any roll up door component, make, or model! Rest assured that all our technicians are certified and insured for your peace of mind. We also have years of experience working with various commercial establishments in LA, ensuring they have fully functional garage doors all year long.

FAQs about roll up door repair

How do you fix a roll up door off track?

To fix your off-track roll up door, disconnect it from the opener first and then inspect for damaged rollers. If the rollers are in good shape, simply realign them back to the tracks and tap any dents to prevent the rollers from jumping out again.

Why is my door not rolling up properly?

Roll up doors refusing to roll up could be due to broken springs, damaged tracks, improper tension, or sticky rollers, among others. Inspect all these components and see which parts are worn out and need to be replaced.

Why won’t my roll up door stay up?

Roll up doors that won’t stay up are often due to broken cables or springs. The springs counterbalance your doors’ weight, and if they’re damaged or loose, they can no longer support your door. Consider professional inspection from Rock Garage Door to confirm the real cause of this roll up door issue.

Why does my roller door keep going back up?

If your roller keeps going back up after closing, you should check if your safety sensors are malfunctioning. You should also troubleshoot the door’s limit settings on the opener in case it’s set too high. If all these are working properly, you may want to check your remote or wall button if it has signal or electrical issues.

How can I speed up my roller door?  

To speed up your roller door, you can tweak the limit settings on your garage door opener. Make sure that the door’s rollers and tracks are also lubricated to prevent the curtain from sticking. Aside from that, you should tighten loose hardware that may drag your door when opening or closing.

What’s the lifespan of a roll up door?

Most roll up garage doors can last for 15 to 25 years, depending on the level of use, maintenance, material quality, and installation location. Take note that commercial roll up doors tend to wear out faster and require more maintenance to extend their service life.

Where can I find residential roll up door repair near me?

If you need repairs for your home’s roll up door in Los Angeles, you can contact us at Rock Garage Door Repair. Depending on your location and our availability, we can reach you in as fast as 1 hour for quick repairs.