Roller Shutters Adelaide: Keeping Them Running All Year

Roller shutters are one of the few things on a house you can install and mostly forget. Mostly. After a hot Adelaide summer and a wet, blustery winter, the shutters that get a little attention keep running smoothly for years. The ones that get none tend to squeak, stick or stop halfway down.

The good news is that looking after them takes about an hour, twice a year. Here is what we check on our own jobs and what we tell customers to check at home.

Know what you have before you start

Most of our roller shutters are made from aluminium or steel, with insulated foam inside the horizontal slats. That is tough material. The parts that wear are the moving ones: the tracks, the winder or motor, and the remote. So the first job is working out whether yours is manual, motorised or remote controlled, because the care is slightly different for each.

The basic clean

Mild soap and warm water is usually all a shutter needs. Use a soft cloth, work from the top down and dry the slats afterwards. Skip harsh cleaners and scourers, which can scratch the finish and leave the colour looking patchy.

Twice a year is plenty for most homes. If you are near a busy road or under a gum tree, you may want to do it a bit more often.

What summer does to your shutters

Summer is when shutters earn their keep. Closing them on a hot afternoon keeps the sun off the glass and takes some load off the air conditioner, which is one reason people ask about them in the first place. If you are curious about the numbers side, our post on how roller shutters can lower your energy bills throughout the year goes into it.

The maintenance side is simpler. Dust and dry leaves build up in the tracks over summer, and a shutter has to push against that every time it moves. Before the season gets going, run your hand along each track and clear out anything that has collected. Then lower and raise the shutter fully, and watch it. It should move evenly, without catching or leaning to one side.

What winter does to them

Adelaide winters bring rain and strong wind, and shutters are built to handle both. After a proper storm, though, it is worth a quick look. Clear away any twigs or debris that have blown into the tracks, wipe off mud splashes and check that nothing is rubbing when the shutter moves.

If a shutter has been down for days during bad weather, lift it slowly the first time. That gives you a chance to feel or hear any problem before it becomes a bigger one.

Manual and motorised shutters need different things

With a manual winder, the thing to watch is effort. If the shutter suddenly feels heavier to raise, do not force it. Something is catching, and it is much easier to fix before a slat bends.

Motorised and remote-controlled shutters have more to go wrong, but they are also easier to live with. Replace remote batteries once a year and listen to the motor. A shutter that hums but does not move, or slows down noticeably, needs a look. One customer had three winder shutters converted to battery-operated controllers and told us they roll up quietly and are easy to charge, so a retrofit is worth asking about if the winder has become a chore. Our post on automatic roller shutters in Adelaide explains how the motorised options work.

When to call someone

A shutter that will not close is a security problem as well as an annoyance, so do not leave it. Call us if you notice grinding, uneven rolling, a motor that will not respond after a new battery, or damage to a slat. We offer maintenance and repair, and we would rather fix a small fault early than replace a motor later.

A simple twice-yearly checklist

• Wipe the slats and box with mild soap and water, then dry
• Clear the tracks of dust, leaves and grit
• Lower and raise each shutter fully and watch for uneven movement
• Replace remote or controller batteries if you have them
• Listen for grinding, humming or slowing
• Check the finish for chips or scratches and photograph anything unusual

If you are still deciding what to buy, roller shutters 101 for South Australian homeowners and our guide to roller shutters for windows are good places to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my roller shutters?

Twice a year works for most Adelaide homes: once before summer and once before winter. Clean them more often if they sit under trees or near a busy road.

What should I use to clean roller shutters?

Mild soap, warm water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive pads, which can damage the finish.

Do motorised roller shutters need more maintenance than manual ones?

They have more parts, so they need a few extra checks, mainly the batteries or power supply and the way the motor sounds. Day to day, they are easier to use.

Do you repair and maintain roller shutters in Adelaide?

Yes. We offer maintenance and repair services alongside new installations across Adelaide and Gawler.

Related Reading

• Energy-efficient roller shutters for Adelaide homes
• Why roller shutters are essential for security and comfort in Adelaide
• How roller shutters improve home security in Adelaide