When your garage door doesn’t work as it should, getting your car in and out of the garage becomes less convenient. You may have to stop using the garage until you fix the issue, or you may need to get out of your vehicle and manually open and close the door when you leave and return home.
Off-track garage door rollers can lead to several issues. Fortunately, this problem is easy to fix with the help of a professional. You can also take steps to prevent your garage door rollers from going off track in the future.
Why Do Garage Doors Go Off-Track?
The typical garage door has 10 to 12 rollers, and one or more of them may go off track. Some common reasons rollers fall off the tracks include:
- Damaged tracks: Bent or damaged tracks can force rollers out of alignment.
- Loose tracks: The vibration of your door can loosen the bolts that hold the tracks in place.
- Force and impacts: If you hit your garage door with your car, you could send rollers off-track.
- Dirt and lack of lubrication: Built-up dirt and grime, along with a lack of lubrication, can throw rollers off-track.
How to Tell Whether Your Garage Door Rollers Are Off Track
If one or more of your garage door rollers are off track, there should be some visible signs, including:
- A door that’s stuck
- A door that hangs crookedly
- A door that’s hanging loosely
If you notice any problems with your garage door, don’t try to force it open or closed. Doing so could cause further damage to the tracks, push more rollers out of alignment or damage the door’s opening system.
How to Fix Off-Track Garage Door Rollers
The best course of action to take when there’s a problem with your garage door rollers and tracks is to call a professional to inspect and repair the issue. A garage door repair technician will tighten, clean and lubricate the tracks and hardware. They’ll also get to work fixing any problems with the tracks themselves.
While the exact steps a technician follows will depend on the problem, you can typically expect them to do the following:
- Disconnect the power: Pull the rope hanging down from the motor to engage manual operation for the door.
- Align the door: Line the rollers up to the spot where they jumped off the track, locking the door in place with vice grips.
- Open the track: To make room for the roller, use a pair of pliers to work the track open, then guide the roller into place.
- Close the track: Using a rubber or wooden mallet, hammer the track back into shape to prevent the rollers from coming off again.
- Check the door: Open and close the door a few times to check the repair before reconnecting your automatic garage opener.
After the technician has put the rollers back on track, they can provide you with some maintenance tips to prevent the problem from recurring. Basic track maintenance includes:
- Inspecting the rollers and track: Check the track and rollers regularly, such as once a month. Look for signs of dirt or debris buildup and ensure the rollers are in the grooves of the track.
- Lubricate the track: Apply lubricant to the track so the rollers run smoothly. Your technician can recommend the best product for your garage door system.
Turn to EXL Garage Doors for Track Repair
If you’ve noticed a problem with your garage door tracks and rollers, EXL Garage Doors can help. Our professional technicians can get your garage door back on track quickly, either by fixing the track or replacing the rollers.
If your garage door is off-track in the Nashville or Gallatin area, contact EXL Garage Doors today.
notice that any rollers are already off-track, call a professional to assess the situation and complete the right repairs. Such an expert will know how to replace your garage door rollers if necessary. If your garage door is off-track in the Nashville or Gallatin area, contact EXL Garage Doors today.