If your garage door is crooked, it can be an eyesore and make it difficult to get your garage door open and closed. There are a couple of main reasons your garage door could be crooked. You can also do a few things to fix a crooked garage door.
Why Is My Garage Door Crooked?
There are a few reasons your garage doors could be crooked. You can conduct a visual inspection to find the source of the issue. To test the problem, stand inside your garage and hit the garage door opener, and then try to spot the problem visually from the inside. Make sure you take proper precautions and stand far away, not under any part of the garage door system.
If the problem isn’t obvious just from looking at the garage door, you’ll want to see it in motion and try to pick out what the issue is. Exercise caution when raising and lowering the door. Use a remote garage door opener and stand far away. We don’t want you or your loved ones to be in harm’s way.
Bent Tracks
The first reason is that the tracks could be bent or damaged. The tracks are what the garage door rollers ride on, so if they’re damaged, it can cause the door to be crooked.
Bent tracks are usually caused due to user error. Most of the time, bent tracks are a result of poor driving skills (someone backs into them while pulling out of the garage). They can also be caused by putting too much weight on a shelf above your garage door. People like to store things like holiday decorations and old junk above the garage door mechanism to save space.
Loose Brackets
Another reason is that the brackets that hold the tracks in place could be loose or broken. If the brackets aren’t holding the tracks securely, it can cause the tracks to become warped and ultimately cause the garage door to be crooked.
Loose brackets can be caused by normal wear and tear, or they can be caused by increased movement due to an unbalanced garage door. If your garage door is slightly uneven and the door shakes more than normal, it can cause the hardware to become loose over time. So, if you have loose brackets, they might be a sign of a more serious issue, and you will want to inspect your garage door a little closer.
Unbalanced Springs
The last common reason why a garage door becomes crooked is that the springs are unbalanced. garage doors have springs that help balance the weight of the door as it opens and closes. If one spring is stronger or weaker than the others, it can cause the door to be crooked.
How Do I Fix a Crooked Garage Door?
There are several things you can do to fix a garage door issue. The correct solution depends on what your issue is.
Replace the Tracks
If the garage door tracks are bent or damaged, you’ll need to replace them. You can usually purchase new tracks at your local hardware store. The installation is the tricky part. You’ll probably want to call a team of experts for this part.
Tighten the Brackets
If the brackets are loose or broken, you’ll need to tighten them or replace them. Again, you can find these at your local hardware store. You should also be able to use a screwdriver or drill to tighten these.
Repair the Springs
If the springs are unbalanced, you may be able to adjust them yourself or you may need to call a professional to get your garage door balanced again. Torsion springs and extension springs are notoriously dangerous. They’re loaded with an exorbitant amount of tension, and you don’t want to be around when garage door springs snap.
Replace Your Garage Door System
In some cases, you may need to replace the entire garage door if it’s severely damaged. That involves taking measurements, finding out what style and material will work for your home, shopping for a new door, taking out the old garage door system, having a company come out and install your new garage door, and getting the new door and garage door opener system set up.
Call a Professional Garage Door Repair Company
If you’re not comfortable making repairs to your garage door, or if you can’t seem to fix the issue, it’s always best to call a professional. They will be able to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs quickly and easily. There’s no shame in asking for help, and it can save you lots of time, energy, pain, and money.
Why You Should Call a Professional
We like independent people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and face their problems head-on, but in the case of garage door repair, we try not to encourage your enthusiasm too much. Sure, it’s easy to change the batteries in your garage door opener, wipe down the tracks, or re-align the sensors at the bottom of the door. However, when you have a serious problem that requires disassembly of some kind, we highly recommend using a professional to fix your unbalanced garage door for several reasons:
Your Safety
The most significant reason is protection. A malfunctioning garage door might be harmful. Most individuals are comfortable with their garage doors since they use them on a daily basis. Except that, while opening and shutting your front door feels natural and simple, we must remember that, at the end of the day, garage doors are hefty machines that may harm people.
So, if a spring breaks, a cable snaps, or some other important component of the leverage, pulley, and tension system fail, there’s a good chance that your door won’t close softly or slowly anymore. And if you’re unlucky enough to be standing underneath when a garage door falls on you or your family, it could cause significant injury or damage. This is why hiring experts to diagnose and repair the problem is usually preferable to attempting to fix it yourself.
You Don’t Have the Proper Training
Another incentive to hire a professional garage door repair business is that they will do a superior job than you would. They have the expertise and understanding to properly address any issues with your garage door in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, they can frequently repair it at a fraction of the cost of replacing the entire thing.
Garage door repair professionals are plentiful in your neighborhood, but none are more reliable and capable than Overhead Door Company of Puget Sound garage door repair company. They provide garage door maintenance, installation, and sales for homes and businesses, as well as emergency same-day services. To obtain an estimate, contact Overhead Door Company right now.
You Need Specific Tools
Even if you are knowledgeable about how garage doors work, you may not have the essential tools to repair them. Many homeowners attempt to fix their garage doors using household equipment, which frequently results in additional damage. Garage door repairs necessitate specialized instruments, and unless you have those in your toolbox, you’ll be asking for trouble.
You’ll Likely Make the Problem Worse
Finally, attempting a garage door repair on your own is usually a mistake. This is because many individuals have no idea what they’re doing and end up causing more damage to the door. Leave it to the pros who have years of expertise and understanding of what they’re doing – they’ll be able to diagnose and repair the problem right away.
Fix Your Crooked Garage Doors Today!
If you have a crooked garage door, or several crooked garage doors, it’s important to take action immediately to fix the problem. Depending on the severity of the issue, you may be able to make repairs yourself or you may need to request repair service from garage door specialists, like the ones at Overhead Door Company of Puget Sound. In any case, it’s best to take care of your unbalanced garage door as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
