A malfunctioning garage door can be frustrating. One of the main reasons your garage door won’t open and close smoothly is if the alignment is off. The truth is, garage door alignment issues can be dangerous and should be fixed sooner rather than later. If the door is way off balance, it could fall off the tracks and injure someone. Here are a few tips on how to fix garage door alignment.
How to Fix Garage Door Alignment - A Quick DIY Solution
Learning how to fix garage door alignment is rather simple. Based on what’s wrong with your garage and what type of door you have, you’ll take different measures to fix it.
How Garage Doors Work
Your typical garage door will roll open and shut on a set of two-sided horizontal tracks on either side of the garage opening. When tracks are well aligned, your door will close and open seamlessly. Misalignment can occur for a wide range of reasons including:
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Hardware loosening over time
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An impact
Any of these reasons can prevent your door from working altogether, create a large gap at the stop molding, rub against the stop molding or create a bind (making it difficult for the garage door to open and close). Fortunately, any of the above problems are repairable. With a little tutoring, you may even be able to realign the garage doors yourself.
DIY Fixtures
Fixing a misaligned door is easy. Follow these few tips to ensure your garage door is in top working condition. If you’re facing the following problems:
The Door is Binding:
Loosen the screws that hold the tracks to the door frame using a screwdriver. Make sure the track is perfectly vertical by aligning it with a rubber mallet. Re-tighten the screws and repeat the same process on the other side.
The Door Has a Gap or Rubbing:
Start by loosening the bolts on both sides of the track. Move the track on both sides of the garage opening to create a quarter-inch gap between the molding and the door before tightening the track bolts nicely.
An Off-Balanced or Crooked Garage Door:
If your door is off-balanced it won’t be able to stay straight. Check the key components such as the springs and cables. If you have jumped cables, repair or replace them immediately to get your garage door back in proper working order. Consult a professional if the task is too daunting or you.
Weather or Damaged Material or Hardware:
The metal or wood of your garage door may get damaged, rot or just get old. Check the hinges as well as the springs to make sure they’re in working order. If your garage door is so old that parts and the technology are no longer available, consider having it replaced by professional garage door contractors.
Bottom Line
Garage door misalignment issues can be a major cause for worry. Fortunately, with these tips on how to fix garage door alignment problems, you should be able to nip the problem in the bud. If you’re unable to make repairs on your own, be sure to hire a competent professional to help. Research reputable garage door repair companies and choose one you can trust to do a good job.
