Having a garage door that won’t stay in its tracks is both annoying and unsafe. Garage doors are an integral element of many houses, ensuring the safety of parked cars and other stored belongings. If your garage door is off its tracks, it’s important to know what caused the problem and how to fix it and avoid it from happening again.
Obstructions in the Track
Debris like dirt, leaves, tiny pebbles or even misplaced objects can gradually build up in the tracks. These objects can cause the door to become misaligned or derailed as it moves up and down, forcing the rollers out of the track. Large items, such as toys or tools, that are accidentally placed in the door’s path can also trigger it to leap off its track when it closes.
Misaligned Tracks
Even a little misalignment of the rails can cause the door’s rollers to experience unequal pressure as they move. In cases of extreme misalignment, the rollers may even jump off track because of this imbalance. Neglecting misaligned tracks can cause additional damage to your garage door system.
Worn or Damaged Rollers
As the garage door opens and closes, the rollers guide it along the tracks, which are essential for its operation. Over time, wear, cracks, or other damage to these rollers increases the likelihood that they will come loose from the tracks. Plastic rollers are more prone to cracking and chipping, while metal ones might rust or develop flat patches. Not only do worn rollers make the door more likely to fall off its tracks, but they are also noisier and put more strain on the door opener.
Broken or Loose Hardware
Garage door systems rely on firmly fastened and operational hardware to maintain their integrity. If a door’s fasteners are loose or damaged, it becomes more difficult to control its movement. With the door constantly moving and vibrating, the hardware will become even more loose, likely causing the door to come off the tracks.
Impact or Forceful Handling
If you accidentally hit or use the garage door too forcefully, it can actually come off its rails. This can occur if a car collides with the door as it closes, or if you attempt to open or close the door by hand when it becomes stuck. Such collisions can distort the tracks, damage the rollers or even cause the door to leap off the tracks. Similar problems can also arise if you try to forcibly open a locked garage door or one that has a broken opener.
Signs Your Garage Door Is Off-Track
Signs that something is wrong with the door include gaps between the rollers and the track, an uneven or crooked appearance while partly open, strange noises made when operating (like grinding or scraping) or the door not opening or closing all the way. When any of these things happen, it will become more difficult to manually open the door, and the automatic opener won’t work correctly. To avoid additional harm or danger, stop using the door right away.
Safety Precautions Before Repairing Off-Track Garage Doors
If you try to yank the door open or shut it by force, you can make things worse and endanger yourself. Instead, secure the area to prevent anyone from recklessly trying to use the door. Getting in touch with a reliable garage door repair company is the next important step. Because of their complexity, high-tension springs and weight, garage doors pose a significant safety risk if not handled properly.
Tools Needed for Fixing Off-Track Garage Doors
Expert garage door repairmen have the training and equipment necessary to safely and efficiently fix garage doors that come off their tracks. The standard assortment of tools for this task usually comprises a ladder, a set of wrenches in different sizes, a level, a rubber mallet, and locking pliers. A track bender and a power drill are examples of more specialist equipment that could be necessary to fix misaligned tracks and replace broken components. To further safeguard themselves, experts in the field wear protective gear, including goggles and gloves, while they work.
Inspecting and Repairing Bent or Damaged Tracks
Experts check the entire track system visually for any dents, bends, or misalignments. To make sure the rails are completely level, they use a level to examine their vertical alignment. If the bend is small, a technician can lightly hit the track with a rubber mallet to straighten it out. For more substantial damage, a specialist track bending tool may be necessary to skillfully realign the metal without weakening it.
If the damage is severe, the technician may suggest replacing parts of the track or the entire track system. They inspect the tracks’ alignment and spacing during the repair procedure to make sure they can fit the door’s rollers.
Lubrication: Keeping Your Garage Door Open and Close Smoothly
The key to trouble-free operation and the avoidance of off-track problems in the future is proper lubrication. Technicians apply a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers to make sure they spin easily and minimize wear. They may also apply lubrication to the hinges connecting the door panels to minimize noise and friction during operation. Lubrication has multiple purposes: it keeps the door from falling off its tracks.
When you make different parts of the garage door last longer, you effectively increase the longevity of the entire process. You will notice a decrease in the amount of noise emitted. When everything runs more smoothly, it leads to improved efficiency and effectiveness.
Other Fixes
To make sure the garage door works perfectly and safely, garage door experts usually do more than just remedy the off-track problem. To achieve a balanced door and lessen the load on the opener and tracks, they might have to modify the spring tension. They’ll also check the garage door opener’s limit switches and make any necessary adjustments to make sure the door stops at the right places when opened or closed. Technicians then evaluate the cables for damage or fraying and replace them if needed.
For added peace of mind, experts advise connecting safety cables to extension spring systems if they aren’t already there. They may tweak the opener’s force settings to find the sweet spot for operating the door without overworking the parts.
Lewis Door Service is here to put your garage door back on its tracks. We also help homeowners in Louisville, KY, with garage door replacements, garage door maintenance, door opener installations and more. Call us now to schedule a garage door repair.
