Garage Door Alignment: Tips, Reasons, and How to DIY

Main Reasons for Misaligned Garage Doors

Some common reasons for an off-balanced garage door include:

• Incorrect installation: If your garage door wasn't properly installed, it might be off-balance and misaligned.
• Aging parts: Over time, key components like track bolts that allow for smooth operation weaken or break.
• Improper tensioning: Cables and springs, too tight or slack, are often the culprits of misaligned doors.
• Track obstructions: Dirt, debris, or bent tracks prevent a garage door from closing properly.
• Incorrect weight distribution: If one side of the door is heavier than the other, it can result in a crooked door.

Here’s a Brief Plan of Action

Here are the simple steps to fix a binding garage door:

• Identify the parts that need alignments: Is it the two tracks, rollers, springs, or opener?
• Check for a large gap between the rollers and the track.
• Look for signs of wear or damage on the springs. Are there gaps between the coils, garage door frame, and springs? 
• Once you've identified the misaligned or poorly performing parts, you'll need to realign them until they fit snugly together. 

Types of Alignments and How to Perform Them Yourself

Various aspects of the door require alignments, such as tracks, springs, cables, safety sensors, and rollers.

Tracks

A garage door track guides the garage door rollers as they move up and down.

How to Align Garage Door Tracks:

• Loosen the bolts that secure the tracks to the wall.
• Realign and gently tap them back into place with a rubber mallet.
• Use a level to ensure proper alignment. Repeat the steps for the other track.

Springs

Springs provide the force required to lift the heavy weight of the garage door. 

 How to Align Garage Door Springs:

• Loosen the screws on the winding cone and use a C-clamp to hold one side of the spring while adjusting it with a winding bar.
• Test the tension before tightening the screws. If your garage door finally closes and opens (gently) without lifting or slamming, then the tension is correct.

Hinges

Garage door hinges connect the individual panels of a sectional garage door. 

How to Align to Garage Door Hinges: 

• Loosen the hinge’s screws slightly and slide it up or down until it lines up evenly with neighboring hinges. 
• Tighten all screws, and open/close the door once more to test your work.

Safety Eyes

Safety eyes detect interruption and immediately signal the garage door to open.

How to Align Garage Door Sensors:

• Unscrew the screws holding the sensors and point them away from each other to turn off the light beam completely.
• Adjust the brackets until a green light appears on both sensors, indicating they are correctly aligned. 

Costs

While DIY garage door alignment can be a cost-effective solution, some repairs may require the expertise of a trained technician.

DIY

DIY garage door alignment is a budget-friendly, but not the safest, option to maintain the door's functionality. You may need to purchase replacement parts like cables or springs, which cost between $100 and $300.

Hire a Pro

The cost of a professional garage door alignment can vary depending on the job's complexity. On average, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 for an adjustment or alignment. 

DIY Garage Door Alignment Safety Measures

Taking the necessary safety precautions is important. 

• Have the right tools and supplies for the job. This includes a rubber mallet and screwdriver.
• Wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and long sleeves.
• Check for any broken or slipped cables before attempting to adjust them. If you find any, contact a professional for assistance.
• Loosen the track screws with a screwdriver before adjusting them with a rubber mallet.
• Ensure the components of your garage door are securely fastened before testing it out after alignment is complete.
• If you have difficulty aligning your garage door or anything appears damaged, hire a professional to fix it.

Garage Door Preventative Maintenance Tips to Avoid Misalignments

Maintaining your garage door and its parts is essential to ensure it functions properly and lasts for years. 

• Look and listen: Inspect the garage door regularly for wear or damage, such as creaks, squeaks, or grinding noises.
• Tighten the hardware: Nuts and bolts, rollers, springs, and tracks should be tight and secure.
• Test the garage door balance: It must be adjusted if it’s not balanced correctly.
• Lubricate moving parts: Apply a high-quality spray lubricant on all moving parts twice a year to keep them running smoothly.
• Clean tracks: Use a damp cloth to clean off dirt or debris from the tracks.
• Check weather stripping:  Inspect the edges of the garage door for wear or damage that could cause air leaks into your home or garage.
• Inspect Cables & Springs: Ensure cables are securely attached and each spring is in good condition.
• Test safety features: Test photo eye sensors by placing an object in their path while closing the door; if it reverses direction when it detects something in its way, then it’s working properly!
• Schedule inspections: Have a professional inspect your garage door annually to ensure your garage door opens and closes correctly and no potential safety risks are associated with using it!

Leave Your Misaligned Garage Door to Top-rated Local Professionals!

At Safety Garage Door Repair & Installation, we take pride in our team's extensive experience of over ten years and the successful completion of over 2000 projects. Our 24/7 emergency service means that we are always available to assist you with any garage door misalignment issues.

We provide free consultations and estimates and offer upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Our truck is fully loaded with all the necessary tools and equipment to fix any garage door issue on the spot. We provide honest work and stand behind our 3-year warranty on parts.

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