Like a train, your garage door operates using a track. There is one track on each side of the door. The tracks contain the rollers, which normally run smoothly up and down the tracks to help the door open and close properly. Since a door that comes off the tracks can be a safety hazard, contact us for garage door repair at the first sign of a problem.

What Causes the Door to Come off its Tracks?

Sometimes things may cause the garage door to come off its tracks, such as a sudden force, broken springs, or if the door hits an object.

Closing on an Object

If a garage door closes on an object, it can damage both the garage door and the object depending on what the door hits and the force of the impact. Many modern garage doors are designed with safety features, including electronic sensors, that detect objects that get in the way of the door closing. While the sensors can keep the garage door from closing on an object if they are working properly, the sensors themselves can break or become misaligned, which means they won’t stop the door from hitting an object as they should.

Accidental Force

An accidental force acting on the garage door can also cause it to come off the tracks. If you back your car into the garage door, or instance, or if another object hits the garage door, it can jar the garage door and cause it to come off the tracks if the door is hit hard enough. If you notice an object hit the garage door hard, try operating the garage door to see if it still functions properly. If it does not, contact us right away to make an appointment for your garage door repair. A garage door that isn’t opening or closing properly can be a major safety hazard, so it’s better to have the problem addressed as soon as possible.

Broken Springs

The springs on the garage door work to raise and lower the garage door. The springs are a small component, but they play a vital role in the garage door’s function. As the springs age, they are more likely to become worn out and ultimately break. One or both of the springs can break at the same time. Even if just one spring breaks initially, you should have both replaced at the same time if the first spring broke due to age-related problems. A broken spring is relatively easy to detect on Santa Maria garage doors. If just one spring breaks, the garage door will appear to be lopsided. If both springs go at the same time, the door may not open or close.

Schedule a Garage Door Inspection – For Off Track Garage Doors

If your garage doors don’t seem to working correctly, the first step in fixing them is scheduling an appointment. While you may be able to tackle some basic household maintenance on your own, it’s best to leave garage door repairs to the professionals. A professional can assess the garage door to determine the extent of the damage and see if the door is even safe to use. If it’s not, a technician can either repair the garage door on the spot or order a replacement. It’s also a good idea to get your garage door inspected by a professional because there may be damage to the door that you cannot spot by yourself. For example, if the garage door is hit by an object, it may have more extensive damage than you can pick up on your own. A professional, on the other hand, can look over the garage door and check for any hidden damage that you may not spot.

Contact us today if you need to fix your Santa Maria garage doors.

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