Garage Door Offtrack

One of the most common issues that homeowners experience with garage doors is when they jump off the track. Not only does this prohibit the garage door from functioning properly, but it also presents a significant security issue until the necessary repairs can be made. Noting this, it's paramount to address a situation such as this in a prompt manner, not just for convenience's sake, but so your property doesn't become at risk. While it is often possible for handy homeowners to place the garage door back on its tracks with some household tools and some muscle, this issue can also be the sign of a more significant problem with the garage door - especially if the situation is a recurring one.

Fixing a Garage Door That's Come Off Track

So just how do you fix a garage door back on track? While seemingly simple, it can be a lot more complicated.

• The first thing that needs to be done is disconnecting the garage door from the opener. 
• After disconnecting the door from the opener, manually open the garage door and find the place in the track where the wheels are coming dislodged. Secure the track with locking pliers.
• Grab a pair of pliers and use them to pull the track open so that you can pop the wheels back onto the track. Use a mallet to gently pound the track back into place. 
• Manually open and close the door to ensure that it's functioning properly now that the wheels have been set.
• Conclude by reattaching the garage door to the opener. 

While this may seem like a straightforward repair, it can become complicated for a few reasons. First, there's the weight of the garage door. Garage doors are heavy, and can weigh up to a few hundred pounds. What's more is that when they close, they have the potential to exert deadly force. Noting this, getting a garage door back on track is likely at least a two-person DIY job. The second issue that homeowners may run into is that the issues are more extensive than just a garage door coming off track. For instance, there may be damaged cables or rollers that also need to be fixed or replaced to ensure proper operation. The door may also be hanging unevenly.

Cost of Repair

If you're uncomfortable getting a garage door back on track by yourself or are aware of further issues that are causing the door to routinely come off track, it's always best to contact a professional garage door service company to make the necessary repairs. And getting a garage door back on track is one of the more affordable repairs offered by such service providers, with the typical job costing in the range of $130 to $150. New rollers, cables and fixing an uneven door hang may add to this price estimate. 

Remember, a garage door that has come off track isn't just a convenience issue, but a security one as well. That's why it makes sense to call in an experienced professional if you're uncomfortable making the repair yourself or unsure of what all is wrong with the door.