The correct alignment of garage doors is an important part of the security of your home. Misalignment of garage doors can lead to a variety of problems. LiftWise Company has been providing garage door services for the past fifteen years. Our expert team helps to make your garage door safe and aligned.
Importance of Garage Door Alignment
The correct alignment of the garage door is very important for the safety of your family. Incorrect alignment affects the functionality of the garage door and increases the electricity bill. The correct alignment of the garage door prolongs its lifespan and reduces repair expenses. With perfect alignment, the garage door opens and closes easily without any sound.
- Safety Risks: A garage door with a misalignment can collapse at any time and cause an accident. Misalignment can be especially dangerous for children and pets. A sudden collapse of the garage door can also damage your car. Safety sensors do not work properly due to incorrect alignment.
- Operational Efficiency: Garage doors require more power to open and close because of misalignment. Extra pressure on the motor increases power consumption and the bill comes higher. The correct alignment of the garage door enhances its functionality and makes operation easier. Correct alignment also increases the lifespan of the motor and reduces repair costs.
- Energy Loss: Misalignment causes air to leak from the edges of the garage door. In summer, the cold air of the air conditioner goes out and electricity is wasted. In winter, the heating system has to work more when hot air is expelled. The loss of energy increases your electricity bill from month to month.
- Door Durability: With perfect alignment, all the parts of the garage door work smoothly together. Misalignment puts extra pressure on parts such as springs, rollers, and tracks. Regular maintenance and correct alignment extend the lifespan of garage doors by several years. Timely alignment checks do not require major repairs.
Signs of garage door Misalignment
There are some obvious signs of garage door misalignment that need to be recognized. Unusual sounds when the door is opened or closed is an important sign. Garage door tilting to one side or looking uneven is also a sign of misalignment. Recognizing these signs in time can avoid major problems.
- Uneven Gaps: Uneven gaps begin to appear on the edges of the garage door indicating the alignment problem. The gap on one side may be greater or shorter than the gap on the other. The gap under the door can also vary from place to place. Air and water leak through uneven gaps.
- Noisy Operation: A garage door with a misalignment makes a loud noise when opening and closing. The rollers move in the track with a rattling sound which is unusual. Sometimes there may also be a sound of metal colliding with metal. Any kind of abnormal sound during normal operation is a sign of a serious problem.
- Sticky Tracks: Misalignment causes obstructions in the track of the garage door at places. The door gets stuck or stuck in the track when it opens or closes. The rollers do not move smoothly in the track and stop repeatedly. Constant obstruction of the track can damage the motor.
- Visual Cues: A garage door tilting to one side or looking crooked is a clear sign. The door panels do not fit correctly with each other. The garage door does not close completely even when it is closed. Rubbing marks may appear on the edges of the door.
Causes of garage door Misalignment
There can be many reasons for the misalignment of the garage door that it is important to understand. Sometimes the alignment is not correct from the start because of the wrong installation. Over time the hardware becomes loose and the alignment deteriorates. Lack of regular maintenance also leads to alignment problems.
- Track Damage: Any damage to the track affects the alignment of the garage door. The weather can cause corrosion in the track which reduces its capacity. Sometimes, the track gets hurt by accident causing it to turn. Damage to the track does not allow the rollers to move properly.
- Worn Rollers: Old and worn rollers hinder the correct operation of the garage door. Rollers weaken over time and do not work correctly. Bad rollers do not fit correctly into the track. The malfunction of the rollers causes the weight of the garage door to be unevenly distributed.
- Loose Hardware: Over time, the nut-bolts of the garage door become loose which affects the alignment. Important hardware such as hinges and brackets shake from their place. Loose hardware causes the garage door to shake and vibrate. In the absence of regular checks, hardware problems increase.
- Poor Installation: Incorrect installation is one of the biggest problems with the alignment of garage doors. Inexperienced technicians are not able to install the track correctly. The correct tension of the springs is not set which affects the balance. Incorrect installation causes problems in the garage door from the start.
Steps to Align a Garage Door
The alignment of the garage door requires some important steps. First, the track and hardware are thoroughly examined. Then the alignment is carried out by loosening all the nut-bolts. In the end all connections are tightened firmly.
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Inspect Tracks
First of all, any damage or bend on the surface of the track is checked. Dust, debris or other obstructions inside the track are checked. The distance from the track wall is measured which should be the same everywhere. All brackets and screws attached to the track are checked.
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Loosen Bolts
The nut-bolts at all important connection points are loosened slightly. The lag bolts that connect the track to the wall are loosened. The connection of the hinge and rollers is also loosened slightly. The bolt is not completely removed but only loosened for adjustment.
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Adjust Tracks
The track is gently shaken to bring it to the correct position so that it is absolutely straight. The distance between the tracks on both sides is measured which should be the same throughout the length. The distance from the track wall is measured and adjusted with a special tool. The rollers should move smoothly in the track.
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Secure Bolts
At the end all the nut-bolts are tightened in a certain order so that the alignment is maintained. First, the track is tightened with the lag bolts that attach it to the wall. Then the connection of the hinge and rollers is firmly tightened. All connections are double-checked so that no one is left loose.
Preventive Maintenance for Garage Door Alignment
Regular maintenance keeps the alignment of the garage door correct for a long time. Garage doors should be checked once every three months. Major problems can be avoided with preventive maintenance. Regular care increases the lifespan of the garage door and keeps the operation smooth.
- Regular Checks: Every month, all important parts of the garage door should be thoroughly checked. Any damage or bend in the track should be checked regularly. The condition and wear of the rollers should be checked regularly. It is necessary to check for any cracks or wear and tear in the springs.
- Timely Lubrication: All moving parts need to be lubricated once every three months. The rollers and hinge are lubricated with special garage door oil. Applying a little lubricant to the springs prevents rusting. After cleaning the track, a little lubricant is also applied on it.
- Hardware Tightening: Every month all nuts and bolts should be checked and tightened as needed. The connection of the hinge and bracket should be checked regularly. It is important to check the lag bolts that connect the track to the wall. Loose hardware should be tightened immediately so as not to aggravate the problem.
- Clean Tracks: It is necessary to clean the track thoroughly once every two weeks. Dust and debris accumulated in the track are cleaned with a special brush. The dirt accumulated on the surface of the track is washed off with detergent. The rollers in the clean track move smoothly and without sound.
Professional Assistance for Garage Door Alignment
LiftWise’s expert team solves all garage door alignment problems. We have modern equipment and trained technicians who can deal with every problem. We provide round-the-clock emergency services. Our services are affordable and reliable.
- Safety Risks: Trying to fix complex alignment problems yourself can be dangerous. The garage door weighs a lot which can cause an accident. There is a lot of tension in the springs which can cause serious injury. LiftWise’s technicians work in a safe manner.
- Complex Issues: Some alignment problems are so complex that they need professional help. Broken springs can be repaired only with special tools. Severe damage to the track requires special technology. LiftWise has a solution to every problem.
- Expert Tools: LiftWise has all the necessary equipment to repair garage doors. We have special measuring instruments that ensure accurate alignment. We have special tools to measure the tension of the springs. We use the latest technology.
- Cost Benefits: Professional repairs save money in the long run because the problem is solved from the root. Regular maintenance does not require major and expensive repairs. Correct alignment leads to lower electricity bills. LiftWise’s services are available at reasonable rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
A professional technician can usually fix common alignment problems in 1-2 hours. Complex cases may take longer.
Yes, misalignment puts extra pressure on the motor which can reduce its lifespan and cause malfunction.
It is best to have a professional check-up once every three months. Small problems don’t become big ones.
Yes, temperature changes cause the metal to expand and shrink which can affect the alignment.