Garage Door Track Repair: What to Do When You Need It

There are few things more frustrating than a garage door that’s off track. Unless you’re an experienced garage door repair professional, you’ll likely wonder what the best course of solving the problem should be.

Here’s what to do when your garage door track is off and when you should seek garage track repair.

What causes a garage door to go off track?

Garage doors, like any other mechanical piece of equipment, experience wear and tear over time. There are many causes that contribute to broken or misaligned garage door tracks, but here are some of the most common:

• Obstructions: One of the most common reasons a garage door goes off track is due to obstructions in the track. If safety sensors miss debris in the track, it can cause the entire door to go off track.
• Problems with track components: Issues with the track system’s components may also be to blame. In some cases, rollers on the track may wear out over time, or lift cables can snap.
• Track misalignment: Take a look at your garage door tracks, and determine whether they’re damaged or dented. If you don’t notice any damage and if the tracks themselves are functioning properly, the garage door rollers may be misaligned. Always call a professional to determine the best way to solve this problem.
• Impact: Have you or someone else run into your garage door as it was opening? Not only does intense impact damage the door itself, but it can also shake up the whole door system. In these situations, rollers usually come off the tracks, leaving the garage door hanging precariously from the lift cables. You should never attempt to repair it yourself, as this problem can be dangerous.

Keep in mind that many of these issues typically occur with no warning and require professional garage door track repair.

Is there anything you can do to keep your garage door on track?

There are some steps you can take to maintain your garage door track and prevent accidents from occurring. Some simple maintenance tips include:

• Remove debris from the track on a regular basis, and use silicone spray to lubricate your garage door rollers and extend their lifespan.
• Make sure all bolts on the garage door track are in acceptable condition.
• Use a carpenter’s level to check your garage door track and make sure it’s plumb (i.e., straight up and down); then make any adjustments by loosening supporting brackets, adjusting the track accordingly and retightening the brackets.
• Make sure you don’t adjust the bottom bracket, since you could potentially loosen the tension spring which could be dangerous. If the problems with your door occur near the bottom of the track, contact a professional technician to safely solve the problem.

If you need garage track repair, don’t rely on a do-it-yourself job. Fixing a track is a difficult process, and a faulty door could potentially fall on you or your car if you don’t get the job done right. Call the experts Denton Overhead Door & Garage Door Repair to fix the problem and restore function to your garage door.

Categorised in: Garage Door Repair