We’ve all been there – you hit the garage door opener remote control and instead of the smooth, automatic operation you expect, you hear a terrible grinding noise as the garage door comes crashing part-way down before getting stuck. Chances are your garage door is off its tracks – a situation that can quickly become a major safety hazard and even lead to property damage if not addressed promptly.
That’s where the experts at Garage Door Repair San Diego come in. As the leading garage door company in the area, we have the knowledge and expertise to get your garage door rolling again quickly and safely. Our same-day garage door repair service and 2-hour maximum response time means we’ll have a highly trained garage door technician at your door before you know it.
Signs You Need Garage Door Off-Track Repair
There are some telltale signs that your garage door has come off its tracks, including:
- The garage door doesn’t open/close smoothly and makes grinding or rubbing noises
- You can see visible damage to the horizontal or roll-up door tracks
- The garage door opener motor continues running but the door doesn’t move
- The garage door is crooked or lopsided when opening/closing
Leaving your garage door off its tracks is never a good idea, as continued operation can further damage the tracks, rollers, cables, and opener itself. It also poses a major safety risk of the heavy door falling completely and potentially causing injury or household damage.
The Anatomy of Garage Door Tracks
Regardless of the configuration, all tracks contain the same basic components that allow your door to open and close correctly:
- Rollers: These cylindrical wheels fit into the track and allow the garage door panels to roll smoothly up and down
- Hinges: Connect the individual door panels together
- Cable and Cable Drum: Cables run through the track system to lift/lower the door
- Track Brackets: Mount the tracks to the garage walls and ceiling securely
- Bearing Plates: Provide support and distribute the door’s weight evenly
Common Reasons Garage Doors Go Off Track
Even with proper installation and routine maintenance, there are several common reasons a residential garage door can become dislodged from its tracks over time:
Impact Damage
Perhaps the most frequent cause of a door going off track is the physical impact from a vehicle, lawn equipment, or other sizable object striking the door panels or hardware. This can immediately knock the door out of alignment or gradually lead to developing track issues.
Broken Garage Door Springs
The high-tension springs that provide the lifting/lowering power can break due to age, lack of lubrication, or cycle fatigue. When a spring breaks, it places immense force on one side, twisting the components and pulling the track out of position.
Worn Rollers and Hinges
The rollers that ride along the track experience tremendous friction and sideways forces over years of operation. When rollers become cracked, chipped, or oblong in shape, they can slip out of the tracks. Similarly, hinges connecting door panels wear down, causing misalignment.
Bent or Damaged Tracks
Steel tracks can become dented, bent, or knocked out of the vertical or horizontal plane, making it impossible for the door to travel smoothly. Even small dimples or warping from impact can create track gaps that force rollers out.
Poor Maintenance
Lack of routine inspection and maintenance is a leading contributor to garage doors going off track over time. The buildup of dirt, debris, or hardened grease impedes smooth roller movement. Bolts and track mounting brackets can also loosen gradually.
Garage Door Track Systems
Most residential garage doors utilize one of four main track systems: standard radius, low headroom, vertical lift or roof pitch tracks. The type of track required depends on factors like ceiling height, room for the door to curve into the garage, and the roof design.
Standard Radius Track
This is the most common style for modern homes with adequate ceiling height (at least 12 inches) to accommodate the radius or curve of the track. As the door opens, the top panels travel along an arched radius track towards the back of the garage ceiling. This allows the entire door to smoothly fit inside the garage when fully open.
Low Headroom Track
For garages with restricted ceiling space (6-8 inches clearance), a low headroom track utilizes a shallow radius curve to allow the door to pivot better into the limited space. The tracks are designed to optimize upward travel and require precise installation to avoid binding.
Vertical Lift Track
If ceiling height is extremely limited or obstructed by things like vents or beams, a vertical lift track runs straight up and down. The door travels straight up until it clears the opening, then pulls inward along a horizontal track. While space-saving, these tracks place more strain on components.
Roof Pitch/Slanted Tracks
Homes with a room over the garage or low-pitched roofs require tracks that accommodate the slanted ceiling pitch. Tracks are customized with the appropriate upward and inward angles to prevent the door from jamming against framing as it lifts fully open.
The Garage Door Off-Track Repair Process
For your safety, attempting to repair an off-track garage door on your own is never recommended due to the extreme tension the spring system is under. Trained professionals have the proper tools and methods to realign the heavy door correctly, including:
- Carefully release the spring tension with a pair of pliers or specialized tool
- Using a rubber mallet or block of wood to knock the track back into its correct shape
- Lubricating the rollers and forcing them back into position on the track
- Inspecting and replacing worn rollers, brackets, hinges, or other components as needed
- Realigning, tightening, and lubricating the tracks, pulleys, and spring system
- Testing the full opening/closing cycle to ensure smooth, quiet operation
Our garage door technicians are equipped with specialized garage door repair tools and household cleaning solutions safe for removing stubborn buildup. Replacing bent track sections and worn-out rollers with new components is often necessary for long-term, reliable operation.
Why Choose Garage Door Repair San Diego?
When your garage door goes off track, you need prompt, professional service to restore safe, functioning operation. Here’s why Garage Door Repair San Diego is the smart choice:
- Prompt 24/7 Emergency Service
- Certified Garage Door Experts
- Upfront Pricing, No Hidden Fees
- Top Quality Parts & Products
- We Get the Job Done Right
Get Your Garage Door Back on Track Today!
Don’t settle for amateur garage door repairs that could leave you with an unsafe operating system. Trust the proven track record (pun intended!) of Garage Door Repair San Diego. Call (855) 575-0226 today for fast, friendly off-track garage door repair service.
FAQs
How do you fix a garage door that is off the track? For safety reasons, it’s best to hire a professional garage door repair service. Attempting to forcibly re-align an off-track door yourself can be extremely dangerous due to the high tension of the spring system. A technician has the proper tools and skills to safely release the tension, reposition the door, and make any necessary track, roller, or hinge adjustments/replacements.
How do you fix a misaligned garage door track? Realigning misaligned garage door tracks typically involves loosening the track mounting brackets, tapping the tracks back into proper position with a rubber mallet or piece of wood, checking that the tracks are perfectly level, and re-tightening the brackets securely. Any bent track sections may need to be replaced.
Why did my garage door fall off track? There are several common culprits, including impact damage from a vehicle or object striking the door, broken torsion springs, worn/cracked rollers, bent or knocked out-of-alignment tracks, and lack of proper lubrication/maintenance over time.
How do you put a garage door back on an opener track? Putting a garage door back on its tracks after coming off is not a DIY job due to the extreme tension on the spring system. This should only be done by an experienced garage door repair professional. They have the release tools and methods to safely detach the opener and manually reset the door’s rollers back into the tracks properly.
Can I put a garage door back on its tracks myself? It’s strongly advised against attempting to re-track a garage door yourself, as the spring system’s tension makes this an extremely unsafe task without proper training and tools. Trying to muscle the heavy door can result in further damage, the door crashing down uncontrolled, or potential injury. Always hire an experienced garage door company for safe off-track repairs.
