The upward and downward motion of a garage door in its tracks should be smooth and fluid. The door shouldn't jerk, nor should it stop prematurely. The door's motor responds perfectly to commands from the remote control, so that's clearly not the problem. A door that's not moving as smoothly as it's supposed to may need to have its rollers checked.

Door Rollers

The rollers, attached to the sides of the door, are what facilitate its movements along the track. The tracks themselves may be in need of basic maintenance if they've been neglected for an extended period of time. Look for accumulations of dirt and dust inside the tracks—which may be creating a physical obstruction preventing the smooth motion of the door's rollers. Previous use of a penetrating water displacement spray as a lubricant can create more dirt and grime, as dust may stick to the spray. Wipe the tracks with a damp cloth before running the door through a cycle to see if its performance improves.

Corroded Rollers

A simple cleaning may not yield the desired results—especially if you have an older model door. Its motor may still be perfectly functional, but the rollers could have become corroded over the years. Corroded, degraded rollers may be unable to roll in a fluid motion, creating friction. This friction can be strong enough for the door to miscategorize it as a physical obstacle in the door's path, causing the opening or closing cycle to be aborted as a safety measure. If the rollers look to be intact, apply a thin coat of lubricant. White lithium grease is compatible with garage door rollers—providing prolonged lubrication without trapping dust.

Replacing Rollers

Your inspection may reveal damaged rollers. If they don't appear to be intact, or if you're not entirely sure, professional garage door repair is best. Many garage door manufacturers fit rollers made of plastic as the default choice. These are perfectly functional, and yet are the first to show their signs of aging. You can replace them with new plastic rollers, which will be an improvement, but if you're planning to be living in your home for the foreseeable future, you should opt for a roller that will deliver good performance into the foreseeable future. Steel rollers are the most resilient, but nylon rollers are a step above their plastic counterpart while still being cost-effective.

For more information, reach out to a garage door repair service near you.