The Importance of Repairing Your Garage Door Tracks!
Your garage door is a big investment, so it only makes sense that you want to keep it in good working condition so it can be worth the high cost. Therefore, it is critical that all components of your garage door, including those that do not move, such as the track, be in good working order. Unfortunately, many homeowners assume that garage door tracks will perform well for years to come, even without maintaining them. However, if neglected, the garage door track’s poor condition could lead to various problems.
What Causes Garage Door Tracks to Bend?
Inappropriate Door Arm or Track Angle
A wrong angle of the door arm (the curved metal that connects the garage door opener to the garage door), if not inclined appropriately, will cause the track to bend up. When the door is closed, the door arm should be at a 45-degree angle to the door. If the door arm is angled straight up and down, this will force the track up. The same thing happens if the track needs to be angled appropriately. The track should be slanting down from the header bracket above the door to the opener unit. You can find the right rail and door arm angle in your owner’s handbook. Operating your garage door on bent tracks unnecessarily stresses the door and opener.
Corrosion
Garage door tracks are galvanized to protect your garage door track from rust and corrosion. However, road salt, rust (particularly in the Midwest or North), or other corrosive industrial chemicals compromise the galvanization on the track. In addition, deteriorating tracks can be caused by various natural factors depending on where you live. A windy coastal atmosphere, for example, causes increased corrosion of your garage door’s metal components, tracks included. Most of the time, corroded tracks are beyond repair and necessitate replacement.
Metal Fatigue
After several years of repeated door weight put on the track, your garage door track may suffer from metal fatigue. It arises from repeated door weight put on the track. You will see and feel ripples or bent areas when the tracks become worn and damaged. It will eventually allow the rollers to come off the rails or out of the tracks. It is important to prolong the life of your tracks by straightening out any areas that are bent or warped. Depending on how often the door is used, it may need to be done again soon. However, you know that the tracks will probably fail eventually, so it is best to replace them before accidents happen.
Inadequate Roller Lubrication
The lack of lubrication on roller stems causes roller displacement, causing tracks to bend. Inadequate lubrication causes rollers to become rigid, forcing them to pop out of the track constantly. When you spot a bend in the lower half of the horizontal track, call for professional repair service.
What to Do if Your Garage Door Track Is Bent?
If you notice your garage door tracks are bent or misaligned, stop using them immediately. Continued use may cause the door to slide off the tracks, causing more damage to your garage door system. There are a few things you can do to fix bent garage door tracks, depending on the severity of the issue. First, you can use a claw hammer or screwdriver for minor bends to gently bend the track back into shape. However, for more serious damage, it is usually best to replace the damaged tracks with new ones.
Garage Door Repair Services From Titan Garage Doors Quad Cities
We are a well-established garage door repair services company, providing quality garage door repair solutions at reasonable prices. We specialize in garage door track replacement and repair and offer other services such as garage door installation and garage door maintenance. Call Titan Garage Doors Quad Cities at (309) 808-7181 to request Free Estimates.
