The Importance of Garage Door Track Alignment

Garage door tracks are crucial for your garage door’s smooth and safe operation. It’s essential to take quick action when they’re faulty, as a misaligned garage door track could indicate a system issue and be a safety hazard. 

Signs of Garage Door Track Misalignment

Some signs of a misaligned door are obvious, while others aren’t as straightforward. These issues indicate a problem with your garage door alignment:

• Gaps between the tracks and rollers
• A door that looks crooked when closed
• Squeaking, grinding or scraping sounds
• Jerky or uneven operation
• A door that stops or gets stuck while moving

What Causes a Garage Door to Go Off-Track?

Various factors can cause an off-track garage door, including:

• Wear and tear: The rollers that run along the track may be worn, resulting in wobbly movement, which affects the track. 
• Dirt and debris: Grime, rust or dirt may have accumulated inside the track channel, impacting movement. 
• Strong impacts: A vehicle or other heavy object slamming the door can move the door off its tracks, even slightly.
• Vibrations: Your garage door system vibrates during operation, and over time, the vibrations can loosen the track’s mounting brackets.

A Quick Guide to Inspecting Your Tracks

If you suspect your garage door is off-track, an inspection can help. Remember to close the door and switch the opener off before your inspection. Check for the following: 

• Roller stability: Check if the rollers pop out or don’t sit correctly in the tracks. 
• Dents in the tracks: Look for any bends or dents along the vertical and horizontal tracks.
• Loose brackets: Mounting brackets secure the tracks to the wall. Check if these are loose.

When to Call a Professional to Realign a Garage Track

Some simpler issues, like cleaning a dirty track or tightening a loose bracket, don’t always need expert assessment. However, more complex problems need professional garage door track repair, such as: 

• The door is completely off track and cannot function properly.
• There is visible damage, such as severe dents.
• The springs or cables are affected. Never attempt to fix your garage door if the springs are damaged.
• You’ve tightened loose brackets, but the issues continue.

Trust Your Local Experts for Track Repair

The tracks help your garage door operate, and even minor issues could lead to costly damage. R&R Doors is your local Madison, WI, garage door specialist, providing expert garage door repair, including track realignment. 

If you need reliable repair for your garage door, contact us online to schedule a service!