Garage Doors Repair Service Garage Door Repair - Facts You Should Know | Page 11

Garage Door Track Repair
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First, you’ll need to check the metal tracks located in the garage. Be sure to inspect
the mounting brackets that attach the track to the walls of the garage. If the tracks are
loose, tighten the screws and bolts at the brackets. It’s best to work inside the garage
with the door closed, and check the tracks for crimps, spots that are flat, and dents. If
you see any damage, use a mallet or hammer to pound them out. If you use a
hammer, use some scrap wood to help shape the track and prevent any further
damage. If the tracks are severely distorted, it’s time to replace them.
Next, you’ll need to check the tracks with a level to ensure that they are aligned
properly. If the tracks are horizontal, they should slant downward toward the back of
your garage. If you have a roll-up door, the vertical parts of the track need to be
exactly plumb. Make sure that both of the tracks are the same height in terms of how
they are positioned on the walls of the garage. If the tracks aren’t aligned well, loosen
the tracks but don’t take the bolts or screws from the mounting brackets completely.
Tap the tracks into the correct position and check the tracks again with a level so you
can be sure they’re in the right position before tightening the screws or bolts to hold
the tracks into their new position.
After this, you’ll need to clean the tracks. You can use a concentrated household
cleanser to get the dirt and tough-to-remove grease off the tracks. Your rollers should
also be cleaned well, and be sure to that you wipe the tracks and rollers dry so that
they will function at their best and won’t be affected by water damage in the future.
If you’re fixing nicks or dings in the tracks, there’s a chance that this happened while
the track and garage door were being installed. While you may not think this detail is
important, remember that if the metal loses its shape, it will affect the way the garage
door works. To keep this from happening, give the track a thorough inspection after
installation to make sure everything is correctly positioned. If you see dents, pound
them out with a rubber mallet without using too much pressure.