Why Your Garage Door Went ‘Off the Rails’

Despite its weight and size, the system that controls your garage door is surprisingly simple. It's designed to open and close efficiently without taking up too much space. Unlike a regular door, your garage door is made of hinged panels that roll up and down instead of swinging open. This design allows it to fit into the limited space of your garage.

To make this rolling motion possible, the door is connected to a spring that helps balance its weight. Additionally, rollers on both sides move along tracks, keeping the door aligned with the opening and supporting it when it's open. That’s the basic mechanism behind your garage door.

However, even a simple system can be vulnerable. Each component plays a crucial role, so if one part fails, the entire system can stop working. That’s why it's important to understand what might cause issues like your rollers coming off the track.

Why Your Rollers Might Come Off Their Tracks

If the rollers fail to do their job, your garage door won’t function properly. Here are the most common reasons why this might happen.

1. The Roller Tracks Go Out of Alignment

Your garage door opens and closes multiple times a day, which puts a lot of stress on the roller tracks. Over time, especially if they were slightly misaligned during installation, the tracks may shift out of place. This can cause the rollers to pop off the track entirely.

2. A Lift Cable Stretched or Broke

The lift cables on either side of the door help transfer the tension from the torsion spring to the door itself. If one of these cables stretches or breaks, the door may not open evenly. This imbalance can force the rollers off the track, causing further damage.

3. A Roller Wears Out

Constant use can wear down the rollers over time. If one roller breaks, the others may still stay in place for a while, but they’ll have to work harder, leading to increased stress and potential misalignment. This can eventually result in the rollers coming off the track.

Understanding the causes of your garage door issue can help you spot early signs and prevent future problems. If you’re experiencing trouble with your rollers, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals. At Whitby Garage Doors, we specialize in quick and reliable repairs—just give us a call and we’ll get your door back on track in no time.