Garage door rails ensure the smooth operation of your garage door. But much like any component of your door system, these rails will eventually sustain damage due to regular wear and tear. When this happens, you’ll have to decide whether it’s time for a replacement or garage door repair in Los Angeles.
In this post, we discuss signs your door rails need repairs and when it’s best to get replacements. We also explain potential costs and how you can extend your garage door tracks’ lifespan. Keep reading and see which is the most cost-efficient solution for your home!
What are garage door rails?
Garage door rails are the metal tracks where the rollers glide when opening or closing your door. It’s installed on each side of your door and often made of aluminum or steel for durability.
Most standard garage doors are equipped with vertical and horizontal tracks. The vertical tracks run straight up on each side of your door where the garage door rests when it’s closed. Meanwhile, the horizontal tracks run along your ceiling and support the door when it opens.
Overall, garage door rails have one important function: to guide the rollers and door panels smoothly during operation.
However, garage door tracks can get misaligned, bent, worn out, and cracked. Whether or not you should replace them depends on certain factors, which we discussed below.
Signs your garage door tracks need repairs
Here are some of the tell-tale signs you need to call for professional garage door track repair:
1. Unusual garage door noises
Excessive grinding, rattling, or screeching noises could be due to dirty, worn-out, or misaligned garage door rails and rollers.
Take note that these unusual noises indicate that there’s unnecessary friction on your garage door tracks. It will cause further damage to the tracks and overall garage door system if not fixed right away.
2. Jamming or sticking door
If your door sticks, jams, or seems too heavy to open, you may have blocked or bent garage door tracks. Avoid operating your door under this condition as this can strain your opener and cause further and more expensive damage.
Aside from damaged tracks, other culprits for sticky garage doors include worn-out rollers, dirty rails, warped door panels, or a faulty opener. And in some cases, temperature fluctuations due to weather conditions can also make your door tracks sticky.
Whatever the cause is, jamming doors are typically easy to repair. Feel free to contact us at Rock Garage Door Repair for 24/7 emergency garage door service!
3. Minor warps or bends
Aluminum garage door tracks are rust-resistant, but they are also soft and prone to warping and bending. Take note that even a small warp or bend can stall your garage door’s smooth operation.
For a quick repair, you can use a rubber mallet to straighten minor bends on your door tracks. However, if you have steel tracks that won’t budge with tapping, you can always call a professional for a hassle-free solution.
4. Gaps between rollers and tracks
Your garage door’s rollers are supposed to fit snugly along the tracks. This way, it can guide the doors smoothly as they open and close. Any gaps can cause the rollers to jump off the tracks or get derailed.
These gaps often occur when the rollers are already worn out or the track has bent open. You can either install new rollers or tap the bent rails back into their original shape.
5. Uneven garage door movement
Garage doors with damaged tracks may tilt to the side, jerk, or vibrate excessively during operation. Aside from the hassle it brings, uneven garage door movements can also damage other mechanical parts if not repaired right away.
This problem can be due to various reasons, such as loose hardware, damaged roller, worn-out tracks, or poor door alignment. It’s best to call a certified garage door technician to diagnose and repair the issue.
When to replace garage door tracks
Some garage door track problems are worse than others. If you notice any of these signs, you may need to get a new garage door rails kit:
1. Widespread rust on the tracks
Prolonged moisture exposure, lack of proper coating, and poor garage ventilation can cause steel tracks to rust. Widespread rust and corrosion will weaken the tracks’ structural integrity to the point where they can no longer support the door’s weight.
If large parts of the tracks are covered in deep rust, repairs may not be the best solution. You should consider calling a certified technician who specializes in installing garage door rails.
2. Severe bending, splitting, or cracking
Once the garage door rails bent out of shape, sustained major cracks, or have split into two, replacements would be a wise investment.
Severe damage to your door tracks will compromise their strength even if you manage to reshape them. Also, heavily damaged tracks may lead to unsafe door movements and further damage to other components of your garage door system.
3. Saggy or detached horizontal tracks
Horizontal tracks installed on your garage’s ceiling support the door’s weight when fully opened. If it starts sagging or coming off the ceiling, it’s possible that the mounting brackets are already damaged.
If tightening all fasteners didn’t fix the sagging, you should consider getting replacement tracks instead.
4. Recurring track problems
Did the unusual noise, jamming, or warping keep coming back after you fixed your garage door tracks? This means that there’s an underlying problem with your door tracks that can’t be fixed with any repair.
Consider getting brand-new door tracks for a permanent solution, especially if your existing rails are already 10 to 15 years old.
The cost of repairing vs. replacing garage door tracks
On average, simple garage door track repair costs around $5 to $40 for small parts, such as brackets or rollers. Meanwhile, full garage door track replacements will cost roughly $350 to $500 for the parts alone. You should also expect to spend an additional $150 to $400 in labor for a 2 to 4-hour repair or replacement job.
If you want to know whether you need repair or replacement and how much it costs, you can call us at Rock Garage Door Repair. We will give you a quick, free, and no-obligation estimate!
How to extend your garage door tracks’ lifespan
Many causes of garage door track damage can be prevented with proper maintenance. Here are some steps you can take to stretch the service life of your door rails:
1. Keep the tracks clean
Accumulated dirt and gunk on garage door tracks is a recipe for repairs. Make sure you wipe the tracks clean regularly to avoid dirt buildup that could get in the way of smooth operation.
You can use mild soap and water to wipe off any stains or dirt on the door rails. Make sure you wipe it dry after to avoid rust, especially for steel tracks.
2. Lubricate the tracks regularly
You should also make it a habit to lubricate your garage door to allow the rollers to glide smoothly. Also, never apply the lubricant to the tracks as this will cause dirt to clump – instead, apply it on the track hinges and rollers’ ball bearings.
Also, avoid using WD-40 or grease for garage door rails as this attracts dirt and debris. You should use a silicone-based lubricant instead.
Above all, clean the tracks first before lubricating; otherwise, you’re just trapping dirt in the rails.
3. Check for garage door alignment
A properly aligned garage door opens and closes smoothly, preventing any unnecessary friction or pressure on the tracks and all moving parts.
To check for your garage door track’s alignment, you can use a carpenter’s level. See if the tracks are straight and parallel on each side.
4. Avoid overloading the tracks
Garage door tracks are designed and rated to support a maximum weight. To avoid premature damage, avoid using your door tracks as a rack or a hanger. This extra weight can warp the tracks, especially the horizontal rails.
Aside from that, hanging objects along your garage door tracks increases the risk of obstruction if they get caught on the rollers.
5. Tighten loose hardware
Due to regular use, your garage door’s bolts, screws, and brackets will eventually become loose. Make sure you tighten them regularly to avoid excessive vibration or track shifts. Doing this will also reduce unnecessary wear and tear on your garage door system.
Get 24/7 garage door repair and replacement in Los Angeles!
If you have problems with your tracks or any part of your garage door, Rock Garage Door Repair can fix it fast for you. We are available for 24/7 and same-day repairs or replacements anywhere in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Our certified and insured technicians will restore your garage door’s functionality, so it will open and close smoothly. We can work on any garage door brand and model you have – all you have to do is give us a call.
If you’re looking for reliable garage door repair, contact us today for a free estimate and top-rated service!
