Although it may seem unusual, having your garage door go off the rails is actually a common repair that the garage door experts at Pop’s Garage Door handle all the time. Possible causes of a garage door falling off its track include:
- Broken cable
- Rails are bent or broken
- Worn or damaged casters
- Loose or stuck tracks
- Garage door panel damage
- Hinge or metal fittings are loose
One thing you should avoid is trying to solve this problem yourself, as your garage door can fall if it goes off track. This is a potentially fatal risk. When you call us, our expert repair staff will assess the situation and provide you with a quote. We may be able to arrive the same day you call.
How can you tell if there is a problem with your garage door track?
There are several signs that your garage door truck may be in need of help.
The garage door appears to be crooked.
My garage door makes a squeaking noise when I use it.
The opener is difficult to raise and lower the door.
When you raise or lower your garage door, it gets stuck in a certain spot.
There is a visible gap between the roller and the rail. There are several reasons why you may need to repair your garage door track.
Is DIY garage door track repair safe?
On YouTube, you can find many videos of people making their garage doors work again themselves. Honestly, you can replace some rollers yourself if you know how to safely secure your garage door during repairs. If your garage door is slightly out of place, the rollers need to be replaced, the tracks are dirty, or there are simple bends in the tracks, you can usually do it yourself.
With the door closed, manually remove it from the garage door opener using the red string.
Use a ladder to raise the garage door part way, or if you have a problem, raise it over a curve.
Place the ladder under the door and attach the brackets to the rails to secure it on both sides.
4a. If you need to put the garage door back on its tracks, use pliers to carefully open the tracks just enough to fit inside. Once the rollers are in place, carefully bend the rail back into place.
4b. If you need to bend the rail, use pliers to return the rail to its original shape.
4c. If you need to replace the rollers, carefully open the rail with pliers to access the rollers. Replace the old one with a new one (available at hardware stores/home centers). When replacing metal rollers, it is best to switch to nylon rollers.
4d. If your chain becomes dirty or rust begins to build up on the surface, use WD-40 and a microfiber cloth to remove any residue or coating. Once the rails are clean, wipe them with a damp cloth to remove any WD-40.
Once everything is back in place, lubricate the rollers. Reattach the door to the opener and run an “open” cycle. The bracket and ladder can now be removed. No problem!
More complex truck problems require professional help
However, in the case of a broken cable or broken rail, we recommend that you call us. If the overhead door breaks or becomes bent or unbalanced, please stop using it as soon as possible and contact us. Garage doors must be perfectly balanced. Otherwise, you will experience excessive wear and tear on various parts of your garage door. This will eventually break some other parts and require you to install a new door, even if the door was far away. However, a garage door professional can quickly realign and balance your garage door. Stay safe and contact us if you notice your garage door is bent, scratched when opening or closing, or has any other unusual malfunction.
Garage door installation, repair, and maintenance in the Aurora, CO area. Did your garage door go off the rails in the Aurora, CO area? We can help you get your garage door working optimally again. We’ll come to your business or home to make sure your garage door is working safely and efficiently for your needs. We offer the best garage door repair services throughout Aurora, CO, and we can help with everything from broken tracks to door opener installation, garage door panel repair, and more. Schedule your appointment today!
