Is your garage door off its track? It’s not just an annoyance – leaving an off-track garage door unrepaired can lead to serious safety hazards and expensive damage. From crushed fingers to faulty door openers beyond repair, letting this issue linger is never worth the risk.
The Signs You Need Off-Track Garage Door Repair
An off-track garage door is not just an inconvenience – it’s a potential safety hazard that should be addressed immediately. Look out for these telltale signs that your door needs professional off-track repair:
- Door won’t open or close properly
- Visible gaps between door panels
- Bent or misaligned tracks
- Rollers popped out of their tracks
- Strange scraping or grinding noises
If you notice any of these red flags with your garage door, don’t delay – call the experts at Garage Door Repair Milton right away at 617-981-7850.
The Different Types of Garage Door Tracks
Not all garage door tracks are created equal. The type you have will impact the complexity of the repair:
Standard Radius Track
This is the most common residential garage door track style. It utilizes curved horizontal tracks that connect to vertical tracks mounted to the garage walls. This design allows the door to travel upward and curve inward toward the back of the garage at the same time, providing maximum ceiling clearance.
Standard radius tracks require at least 12-18 inches of headroom (distance between the door opening and ceiling) to operate properly. They are ideal for garages with high ceilings and no obstructions like water heaters or ductwork in the way.
Low Headroom Track
As the name implies, this style is engineered for garages with lower ceiling heights and restricted overhead space. Low headroom tracks have an angled vertical section that allows the door to travel upward in a steep incline once it clears the opening. This eliminates the need for extra headroom a standard radius track requires.
These compact tracks require precise adjustment to the horizontal radius, vertical incline, and various hardware in order to function safely with such little overhead clearance available. Even a fraction of an inch out of alignment can cause issues.
Vertical Lift Track
Garages with literally no headroom space above the door opening need a vertical lift (VL) track system. These have no horizontal sections – the entire track runs straight up vertically along the garage side walls.
As the door travels upward on the VL tracks, the door panels remain stacked together like an accordion instead of arcing inward. This unique design allows the door to open despite extremely low overhead clearance.
Roof Pitch Track
For garages with angled or pitched ceilings, a specialized slanted track matched to the same roof pitch angle is needed. These tracks have an upward sloping horizontal section connected to matching angled vertical sections.
As the roof pitch gets steeper, more headroom is required to accommodate the downward angle of the horizontal track radius. Adjustments for weatherstripping and stop moldings also present challenges on these slanted track systems.
High Lift Track
Another option for garages with obstructions like a garage door opener installed right above the door is a high lift track. These have a unique track radius design that adds extra clearance for the door to avoid hitting objects above the opening.
High lift tracks can add several extra feet of height that the door travels before turning inward toward the back of the garage. They require precise installation and adjustment to function properly.
Key Garage Door Track Parts
To get your door rolling smoothly again, these are some of the components that may need repair or replacement:
- Rollers: The wheels that allow the door to glide along the track.
- Hinges: Connect door sections and need proper alignment.
- Cables & Drums: Lift the door through a torsion spring system.
- Track Brackets: Secure the tracks to the garage frame.
- Bearing Plates: Allow smooth operation at curved track sections.
The Garage Door Off-Track Repair Process
Garage Door Repair Milton’s experienced techs follow a proven process for off-track repairs:
- Carefully re-align the door with the track
- Inspect and replace any worn rollers, hinges, or hardware
- Adjust track brackets and re-secure tracks as needed
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Test door operation and make final adjustments
It’s a meticulous process – trying a DIY fix could make issues worse. Trust the experts for a safe, lasting garage door track repair.
Why Choose Garage Door Repair Milton
When it comes to reliable, professional off-track garage door repair, there are several reasons why Garage Door Repair Milton stands out as the go-to experts:
- 24/7 Emergency Service
- Maximum 2 Hour Response
- Same Day Repairs
- Open Weekends/Holidays
- Certified Technicians
- Upfront Pricing
Don’t let that off-kilter garage door become a safety nightmare. Call Milton’s most trusted name in garage door repairs today!
FAQs
1. Can I try fixing the off-track door myself?
Attempting complex garage door repairs yourself is extremely risky. The heavy door and tightly wound torsion springs create many potential hazards for amateurs. For your safety, it’s best to call trained professionals like Garage Door Repair Milton.
2. How much does off-track garage door repair cost?
Pricing can vary based on the extent of the damage and replacement parts needed. However, Garage Door Repair Milton always provides upfront pricing so you know the cost before any work begins. Most off-track repairs typically range from $100-$350.
3. How long will the repair take?
With Garage Door Repair Milton’s efficient process and stocked repair trucks, most off-track fixes can be completed in 1-2 hours. Particularly complex jobs may take longer.
4. Can garage door openers cause the door to go off-track?
Yes, faulty or incorrectly installed garage door openers can definitely lead to the door going off its track over time. Having your opener serviced regularly helps prevent this.
5. What causes garage door tracks to become misaligned?
Several factors like operational wear and tear, impact from objects or vehicles, improper installation, or foundation settling can knock tracks out of alignment over time. Rust and debris buildup contribute as well.
