Discovering that your garage door has come off track is a situation that demands immediate attention. The key here is to prioritize repairing your overhead garage door promptly. At the very least you should avoid using your overhead door until the necessary repairs are made. Continuing to use the door in this compromised state poses a serious risk of inflicting extensive and costly damage to both the door and the track. While addressing an off-track garage door is often a straightforward and budget-friendly repair, if left unattended, it could escalate into a situation costing you hundreds of dollars. Consider the simplicity and potential savings of addressing the issue promptly or risk significant expenses in the long run. It could cause enough damage to leave you with the only option of replacing your garage door. Luckily there are some DIY repairs and fixes available to homeowners.
Start By Disconnect the Garage Door’s Opener
Embarking on a DIY fix for your overhead garage door requires a methodical approach, prioritizing safety at every step. Start by disconnecting the opener and pulling the overhead rope to release the door. Opening the door manually is the next crucial step, and it’s advisable to have a second person spot you during this process. Keep in mind that the door is exceptionally heavy, weighing hundreds of pounds, and mishandling it could result in serious injury. Identifying the specific wheels that have come off track may be challenging, especially if this is your first attempt at fixing it. If in doubt, or if the issue is not apparent, seek assistance from a professional garage door technician immediately. Once you’ve pinpointed the jamming spot, secure the door in place using locking pliers, ensuring a stable and safe working environment.
Reconnect the Track and Then Test the Door
To complete this quick DIY garage door repair, the next step is to carefully use a pair of pliers to grip the edge of the track. Gently pull the outer edge out, creating ample space to smoothly reconnect the wheels of the door. With the wheels securely back in place, employ a rubber mallet to delicately knock the track back into its proper position. This step requires finesse to avoid causing additional damage. Subsequently, conduct a thorough test of your door. If it operates smoothly and without resistance, proceed to reconnect the door to the opener by simply operating the opener. In most cases, this reconnection should happen automatically, signaling the successful completion of your DIY repair.