Your garage door’s tracks are a crucial component of your garage door system. They guide the rollers along and ensure that your door is running smoothly and efficiently. With normal wear and tear they can become a common area that requires attention. Garage door tracks that become clogged with debris, damaged or misaligned can cause problems from noisy operation to rendering your door completely nonoperational. Being aware of some of the signs that that your garage door tracks need some attention can help you address the issue before it starts to become a much larger issue.
Garage Door is Noisy
Garage doors will always produce some level of noise when opening and closing however, when the door becomes unusually loud or makes scrapping or grinding sounds, that is a sign that something is not right. These unusual sounds can be an indication that the rollers are struggling along the tracks. If you notice these sounds, the first thing you can do is inspect the tracks to see if they are dirty or blocked with any debris and clean them off. You can also apply some lubrication. If this doesn’t work the best next step would be to have a professional garage door technician come in and take a look, as they may need to be realigned or replaced.
Jerky, Slow Movement
You may have an issue with your tracks if you notice your garage door moving more slowly than normal or starting and stopping while in operation. Resistance can be created when the tracks are misaligned, bent or dirty, making it difficult for the rollers to smoothly glide through. They may be getting caught in an obstruction or a bent section.
Excessive Vibration
When the garage door is in motion, it is normal for there to be some vibration, however if it has become excessive, this can be an indication that there is some type of structural damage, worn-out rollers or that the hardware has become loose. It is expected for hardware to loosen up over time with door usage so when doing regular garage door maintenance, you should check for this and tighten up all nuts and bolts. Leaving the door shaky can lead to further problems like damage to door panels and the opener.
Visible Misalignment or Gaps
Tracks should be completely parallel and flush, even if they are only the slightest bit off, this can cause major issues. Track misalignment can be due to normal vibrations but can also occur from temperature fluctuations or from impact damage.
Rust and Corrosion
Rusty tracks can be caused by humid environments, moisture or road salt. A rusty track is more likely to cause the rollers to catch and resist movement. Although rust may initially seem very minor, it can quickly degrade the tracks. It can lead to pitting, weakening and warping of the metal, causing resistance and unpredictable operation of the garage door.
Rollers Frequently Derail
Rollers should be gliding smoothly through the tracks and should not be popping out. Rollers that are derailing frequently can be a sign that the track is worn out or bent. This can not only cause operational problems but can also cause safety and security risks. Roller derailment can make the door jam in a halfway position, making your garage and home vulnerable to intruders.
Door is Off the Tracks
When the door is off the tracks, this is an obvious indication of a problem as it will seize to function and can look like it is crooked or leaning. This is usually caused by worn rollers, a hit to the door from a vehicle or loose hardware. When a garage door is off the tracks, it can be very dangerous so in this situation, a garage door technician should be contacted immediately. The door is not stable and could potentially fall.
Your garage door tracks are a key component of your garage door system. If you notice any of the above signs it is important to have the issue rectified right away to prevent any further damage. Catching these issues early will help you avoid more costly repairs and will keep your garage door functioning safely and smoothly.