Three Unusual Causes of Garage Door Track Problems

The garage door opener lifts the door up and down using two tracks. The sides of the garage door have corresponding wheels or gliders that slide up and down on the tracks as the opener’s chain pulls on the springs. If the garage door will not move, it may need a professional garage track repair. While there are several common causes of track problems, these uncommon issues could be to blame for your garage door issues.

Roof Leaks

A roof leak in your garage could affect the garage door tracks. The presence of moisture from a leaky roof could result in rust or corrosion on the tracks. The dripping water could collect debris as it settles on the track. The debris could include dirt, dust or insulation from the attic above the garage. The debris could impede the movement of the garage door.

Termites and Carpenter Ants

While garage door tracks are made of metal, the framing around the garage door and the garage ceiling consist of wood and sheet rock. Carpenter ants or termites could damage the organic materials, resulting in shifting or misalignment of the tracks. If you see little piles of what looks like sawdust, there could be wood-destroying insects in your garage.

Earthquakes

California experiences a lot of earthquakes, and most of them are minor. Even a minor quake could shift the garage’s floor or walls. Any shifting in the flooring, walls or foundation of the garage could lead to a minute difference in the alignment of the garage door tracks. If the tracks are out of alignment, the door may not open or close properly. If the door is able to move, it could do so unevenly or make a lot of noise as it moves.