One of the most common reasons we get house calls is a garage door has come off track. In most cases, it can be a fairly easy fix — and it’s even easier to prevent. Pay attention to your mounting screws that attach the track to the wall. These can come loose overtime — which can cause the track to misalign and the door to jump the track. Tighten these screws down from time to time. The chances of your door jumping the track is significantly reduced. This is one garage door repair that preventative maintenance can help you avoid.

To check track alignment, use a level. Horizontal tracks should have a slight incline toward the back of the garage. Roll up doors should have vertical tracks that have plumb precision. The tracks should also be aligned with one another. If the tracks are misaligned, loosen the bolts that hold in the brackets, and tap them back into precision with a rubber mallet.

It’s also a good idea to keep the tracks clean using a cleaning solvent or WD40. Use a rag, but avoid water to prevent rust.

Door Off Track? How to Fix It Yourself!

If your door comes off its track, stop operating it immediately. If the track hasn’t been too badly damaged, you should be able to fix the problem yourself. If you continue to use it, you might damage the track, which can add several hundred dollars to the repair job.

Start by separating the garage door opener from the door by pulling on the cord that hangs overhead. Raise the door until one set of rollers realigns with the part of the door that went off track. Secure the door with a pair of locking pliers on the track just below the bottom of the door.

Open the track where the door came off with a pair of pliers. Guide the wheels of the roller back onto the track if it’s wide enough. Close the track by hammering the edge back into place, using a block of wood and a rubber hammer.

Remove the locking pliers and lower the door to the ground. Close the door using the remote. It should catch the chain and reattach.

It’s a fairly easy DIY garage door repair, but things can sometimes go wrong. Don’t be afraid to call in a professional if a job proves beyond your skills or tool set.

Repair or Replace? Signs You Need a New Garage Door

Many garage door problems can be repaired fairly inexpensively. But garages do wear out overtime. Considering that your average garage door goes up and down at least 3 times per day, that’s a thousand times per year. About every 20 to 30 years, you are probably due for a new garage door.

First, if your garage is older than 1993, it’s probably time. There are many safety features that are required on new garage doors that were non-existent in the early 90s. This include automatic stop. Doors made after 1993 are required to have automatic sensors that stop the door from descending if there is something in the way, such as property, a pet, or a child. It’s an essential safety feature.

Second, how does your current garage door affect the value of your home? Next to safety, curb appeal is the most common reason people install a new garage door. A new garage door can add significant value to your home. In fact, garage door installation has one of the highest return on investments when it comes to home improvement.

Finally, is your garage door safe? Could your kids or pets get hurt? Are there missing panels or gaps that could give easy access to thieves? Considering that your garage door is the largest entryway to your house, security is critical. Professional burglars are trained at spotting opportunities. An old and broken garage door could cause your property to be targeted by thieves when you are away at work or vacation.

Give us a call for a free estimate. We specialize in new garage door installation for the Sacramento California area.

Questions? Call Us Anytime!

If you’ve got any questions, call Sac’s Garage Door Repair. Serving the Rocklin and Greater Sacramento areas, we feature a 100% satisfaction guaranty. In addition to repair and service, we also offer garage door replacement. Call Sac’s today, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.