Garage Door Offtrack

When your garage door keeps coming off its track, it's never a good idea to ignore the problem. Garage door opening mechanisms are full of smaller, more complicated components, and when your door repeatedly comes off track it's an indication of a larger issue. If you're dealing with a faulty track, take a minute to run a few tests and simple inspections to see if the problem is something you can diagnose at home. If you can't, call in a professional as soon as possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind when checking your garage door for safety.

Is your track dirty?

Sometimes, the cause for a dislodged track can be as simple as a build up of dirt or grime over time. If you live in a colder climate and have had issues in the past with moisture and mold building up in your garage, it's always a good idea to check and clean your garage door opener frequently, in addition to keeping it well lubricated. If you notice a buildup of dirt or dust on your door, try cleaning the track as well as the garage door rollers and conduct a test run to see if this affects your door's performance. If you're still experiencing issues afterward, it's time to call in a professional.

Do you need a replacement part or parts?

Sometimes a broken garage opener part looks obvious. Other times, it's not so clear. When doing your check, make sure to physically inspect each piece of your opener for damage to make sure you're not dealing with a cracked or broken part. If you do find something broken, you'll be able to find a replacement part easily online, as long as you have the correct make, model, and measurements for your part. However, in the case of a broken spring, you should always get professional help to avoid injury.

Is your track damaged or bent?

Pay close attention to how your track actually looks. Sometimes a track that's made of cheaper material can bend or simply lose its shape over time, causing rollers to pop out of place during each open/close cycle. Replacing your bent or damaged track is a huge priority if it's causing your door to malfunction. However, it's always important to check the rest of the door to make sure nothing else is damaged as a result since a bent track could be a sign of a larger issue.

Are your springs broken?

When your garage door spring breaks, you'll probably be aware of it immediately. You door's cables are put in place for just this reason so that when a spring breaks your garage door will have something to hold it in place. However, when a spring or cable breaks on your door, your track will see the worst of it, often bending as a result of uneven pressure being put on it from your door's warped balance. If you're dealing with a broken spring, it's extremely important that you contact a professional immediately.