Garage doors are necessary for keeping your car and valuable items inside your garage safe and protected. Nowadays, automatic garage doors have become the norm and go-to choice for people. They are easy to operate and are quite reliable.
Nonetheless, such garage doors can break and go off track. This happens when the rollers wear out and the bolts loosen up. Additional factors include dirt piling up in the rollers or impact from hitting your garage door with your car on accident.
That is why we’ve dedicated this article to providing you with valuable know-how on fixing your garage door when it goes off track as well as share helpful maintenance tips for future reference.
First Things First, Getting Professional Help
Fixing an off track garage door isn’t all that easy. That’s why it’s important to be extra careful not to make the problem worse, as it could lead to having to replace the entire door. For most people, getting professional help is the best choice to make.
Working with a seasoned group of vets will ensure that your garage door is fixed properly and in a timely manner. Experts are well experienced when it comes to working with garage doors that have significant track misalignments. Additionally, professionals have the necessary tools and equipment needed to complete the job accurately and remove the possibility for any delay.
You’re also better off getting professional assistance as many garage doors come with warranties that specifically state that any repair work must be completed by a trained professional. You don’t want to mess up your door and end up having to get a new one entirely.
Lastly, professionals also offer valuable advice on garage door maintenance for future reference so you have an idea of what you’re dealing with in the future. These are all essential elements to consider when looking for a professional crew to complete your garage door maintenance in Sacramento.
Steps To Fixing Your Off-Track Garage Door
Fixing an off-track isn’t easy but not rocket science at the same time. If done properly, it will be completed rather quickly. Hiring professional help guarantees that your garage door will be up and running like new sooner than you can blink. Yet, if you’ve chosen to handle things yourself, the subsequent list highlights crucial steps in the process:
- Safety: Make sure you’ve taken the necessary precautions to work safely on your garage door. You should disconnect the garage door and disengage it from the automatic system.
- Close the door: You should carefully and slowly close the door manually and not use force if you’ve met with resistance along the way. Instead, inspect the areas where the door is stuck and see what you can do to loosen those parts up.
- Examine The Tracks: Look at the tracks of the garage door and see if you can find any parts that are bent or have dents. If you do find them and they are slight, you can use a rubber head hammer to straighten out those areas.
- Realign The Tracks: Check the alignment of the horizontal tracks with a level. If adjustments are needed, loosen the screws or bolts, make the tweaks, and then tighten them back up. Be careful to not damage any part of the door while realigning the tracks.
- Examine The Rollers: Have a look at the rollers and determine their condition. If they happen to be worn out, apply lubricant so that they regain their smooth movement.
- Tighten Loose Parts: Make sure that everything is where it needs to be and that no part of the garage door is loose and wobbling. Check nuts and screws and tighten them accordingly.
- Reconnect The Door: After you’ve completed the steps mentioned above, manually lift the door back up and then reconnect it to the automatic system.
- Test The Door: After you’ve reconnected the door, test it and determine if it is operating as it should. Make sure to take a good look at the rollers and tracks once more and don’t forget to not leave any loose parts on the door before you call it a day.
Key Takeaways
In short, garage doors are crucial for protecting our belongings. When they go off track, addressing the issue promptly is vital. While fixing it may seem daunting, opting for professional help is often the wisest choice.
Professionals have extensive experience in ensuring a proper and timely fix while preventing potential door replacement costs. Considering warranties that often require professional repairs also emphasizes the importance of expert assistance.
For those who prefer a DIY approach, prioritize safety. Gently close the door, inspect and realign tracks, examine rollers, and tighten loose parts systematically. Reconnecting and testing the door afterward ensures a comprehensive fix.
Whether choosing professional help or a DIY approach, always prioritize safety throughout the process.