Often, we are asked to help homeowners whose garage doors have come off the rails, and we also hear questions related to garage door installation in Pompano Beach. It almost never occurs at convenient times: you’re trying to make your kids hurry to catch the bus to school, rush to an important meeting, etc. A misaligned door is not just inconvenient but dangerous to your life. Besides, a derailed door compromises your house security.
When several rollers are holding a heavy sheet of metal and wood in position, something should definitely be done with it. Further attempts to use the door may result in severe damage to the whole system since the vertical tracks may warp and the cables break due to high tension.
Years of garage doors repairs have allowed our professionals to identify the causes of derailments at Top Service Garage Door Repair – whether it was impact or just aging. We would like to share our garage door realignment advice with you and offer some useful preventive recommendations for your future safety!
Instructions for Adjusting Your Chain Tension
Our Advice to Get a Garage Door Back on its Track
Firstly, always contact professionals when you’re not confident or just want to know that your system is in reliable hands. These are the steps we’ll follow:
Disconnect the Motor
We always make sure that all necessary precautionary measures are taken to avoid any accidents during our work. Firstly, the opener needs to be disconnected from the door using the release cord attached above it. That will allow operating the door manually since we will be working in its immediate proximity.
Secure the Door and Clean the Tracks
Then, our technician manually lifts the door so that its roller aligns with the damaged section of the metal track. Locking pliers are used to clench the track in order to secure the door in place. Now, we can safely wipe the track with a rag, thus removing accumulated dirt, grease, and debris. These contaminants often contribute to a roller jumping out of the track.
Guide the Rollers and Revert the Track
How do you get a garage door back on track? To start, we bend the end of the track away using the heavy-duty pliers. Then, we carefully insert the roller back into the track, and revert it into its original position using rubber mallets. The same procedure is performed with every other roller. After that, our technician removes the locking pliers and lowers the door to see if everything works fine.
Practical Tips on Preventing Garage Door Misalignment
If you want to ensure smooth operation of your door after getting a garage door back on track, follow these simple maintenance recommendations. Clean the tracks manually twice a year with the help of wet rags. Also, lubricate the rollers and hinges with a good silicone-based spray. Note that heavy oils or greases attract lots of dirt, which makes the rollers jump easily.
In addition, check the condition of all screws and nuts holding the tracks. The vibration created during the door opening/closing gradually loosens the fasteners so that they no longer hold the tracks firmly and securely. Just spend several minutes tightening the connecting points.
Finally, do not hesitate to contact us if you see any rusting and hear noises of grinding. That often means that the track will soon derail again or worse, crack and give in under the heavy load.
Keeping You Safe and Secure
It is always stressful if your garage door falls off the track. However, if you understand the mechanism of the repair process, you will cope better with the situation. Nonetheless, regular maintenance and safe usage help keep your garage door on track and avoid such emergency situations.
It takes experience and specific skills to handle heavy metal objects under pressure. That is why we are ready to help you solve all kinds of issues related to your system. Contact our customer support at Top Service Garage Door Repair now and our skilled specialists will help you.
FAQs
Do not attempt to realign severely bent or warped tracks yourself. While small dents can be fixed with the help of a hammer, a seriously deformed track will no longer be able to withstand the weight. Our recommendation is to replace the entire section with a new one, especially if there are any creases, rather than trying to reattach the garage door to the track alone.
The price depends on the condition of tracks, rollers, and cables and whether any components require replacement. Usually, the repair cost of the average door, where several rollers come off, is quite low. Before we start the work, our specialists always give an estimate.
Such problems are usually caused by a fundamental issue, e.g., deformed tracks, wobbly rollers, or worn-out cables that pull the door unequally. We will do a thorough examination to find out the root cause of such frequent derailment.
Raised in Plantation, Florida, Steve earned a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University. He is an experienced entrepreneur with ventures in oil, real estate, and the garage door industry, known for being adaptable, reliable, and innovative.
Steve is married with two children who have successful careers in South Florida. The Gorey family is proud of its deep roots in the region and its connection to the local community.
