How to Fix Garage Door Rollers That are Off Track
All it takes is one small garage door roller to get off track to make it nearly impossible to open or close your garage door. Make sure you are never without a working garage door by learning what to do when a garage door roller is off track.
What are Garage Door Rollers?
Garage door rollers are the tiny little metal wheels you see that move forwards and backwards along a metal track when you open or close the garage door. Without garage door rollers, you would not be able to quickly or easily open or close the garage door.
Common Causes of Off-Track Garage
Door Rollers
There are a number of reasons why the garage door rollers may come off track. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Improperly balanced garage door
- Hitting the garage door with your garage or other heavy object
- Poor lubrication
- Accumulation of dirt and debris in the track
- Damaged rollers
- Bent or misaligned tracks
Diagnosing the Problem
Before you can correct the problem, you first have to know what is causing the garage door rollers to go off track.
All it takes is a quick visual inspection of the garage door rollers and track to identify the problem. However, you have to know what
you are looking for.
To determine why the garage door rollers are coming off track look at the following things:
- Inspect the metal tracks for any damage - Look to see if the tracks are bent, rusted, or damaged in any way
- Check if the track is sturdy - Look to see if any of the bolts that hold the track in place are loose
- Inspect the garage door and surrounding area for any damage that could indicate the garage door was hit and caused the rollers to go off track
- Inspect the garage door rollers for any signs of damage
- Look for any signs of dirt, dust, debris, or rust on the track or rollers
Fixing Off-Track Rollers
Many of our customers at Uplift Garage ask us if they can fix off-track rollers themselves. Our answer is: it depends.
It all depends upon what is causing the garage door rollers to go off track. Sometimes all it takes is cleaning the track, setting the rollers back in the track, and adding additional lubrication to correct the problem. Other times, you may need to replace the existing track, remove a damaged roller and replace it with a new one, or even rebalance and correct the entire garage door.
If you are uncomfortable or unsure about fixing your garage door rollers yourself, we encourage you to call Uplift Garage. Our technicians have the experience and knowledge to correct any and all problems that may be causing your garage door rollers to go off track.
However, if you do want to try correcting the problem yourself, you can try it by doing the following:
- Disconnect the power supply to the garage door opener - This applies only if you have an automated garage door opener
- Inspect the track for any damage - If the track is damaged, you may be able to take a pair of pliers and gently mold the track back into its proper shape. If the damage is too severe, you may need to replace the entire track.
- Clean the track of any dirt or debris - Use a damp, clean towel and gently wipe down not only the track by the garage rollers
- Lift the garage door roller and guide it back into place in the track
- Repeat the entire process for the opposite track too
- Restore power to the garage door opener once the track is back in place
Preventative Measures and Maintenance Tips
Some causes of your garage door rollers going off track, such as accidents or just general wear-and-tear, can't be prevented. No matter what you do, you have no control over these events.
However, some of the causes of off-track rollers can be avoided by conducting routine maintenance on your garage door.
Some of the things you can do to avoid off-track rollers include:
- Apply additional lubrication to the rollers and track
- Regularly check the bolts on the track to make sure they are tightened and secure
- Conduct a complete inspection of the entire garage door and garage door system after any accident
- Regularly clean the garage door rollers and track with a clean, damp cloth
- Conduct a brief visual inspection of the garage door and garage door system every few months to look for any noticeable signs of wear-and-tear or damage
- Immediately correct any door or track misalignments
- Schedule annual appointments with an experienced garage door technician for routine maintenance
No matter what the reason, Uplift Garage is there to help you with any and all problems you may experience with your garage door. Call us today to speak with an experienced technician.
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