Five Step Track Maintenance

Over a period of time, and many up and down cycles, overhead garage doors will eventually breakdown or fail to perform as they should. There are basic things that you can do throughout the year that will give your door longevity and cut-down on major repairs. Here are five of them that will help you tremendously.

1^st Step: Examine the Tracks

Thoroughly inspect the garage door tracks while looking for brackets that may have become loose; if so, tighten them back down. Also look for damage to the tracks such as dents or bends. If you discover such damage, use a small rubber mallet to knock it back into place. This is suggested for minor track damage only. If the damage is quite severe, it is best to get the entire track replaced.

2^nd Step: Check Track Alignment

Inspect the tracks with a leveling tool to ensure that they are aligned correctly. The horizontal track should slightly slant downward towards the rear of the garage. The vertical part of the track should be flat. The tracks must have similar height levels on the wall. If they are not aligned, loosen the brackets that hold them in place. Gently tap the tracks into the desired position. Once done, use the level to check it again. If everything looks fine, go ahead and retighten the brackets.

3^rd Step: Clean Tracks

The tracks should be cleaned periodically. It is best to use a cleaner that is not harmful or too strong. This will eliminate dirt and grease buildup, allowing the rollers to travel smoothly through the tracks. Make sure to wipe away any moisture from inside of the track and rollers completely. When doing this, it is helpful to go ahead and clean the entire garage door.

4th Step: Inspect what you have done so far

It is always wise to take a moment and check to see that you have done everything correctly. Go over the first 3 steps in order to make sure that everything is in order before proceeding to the next and final step.

 5^th Step: Check Connected Hardware

Check all other hardware that is associated with the garage door track. Tighten any loose screws, nuts, or bolts you may find. Inspect the hinges for looseness and damage; be sure to replace them if needed.