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What makes up a garage door system? Well, it’s actually fascinating technology when you start looking at the system as a whole. Garage door openers are integral to the function of a garage door. Without them, a lot of the convenience of a garage door goes away. It’s the type of technology we don’t really think about until we have to replace it.
The system works like this: the garage door opener is controlled by a remote, keypad, Bluetooth, smartphone, or a combination of all of these things. The door is automatically raised or lowered by a cable that runs along a track as the doors are supported by rollers that move the doors up or down.
As you might imagine, all of these components work together to do something that we’ve come to expect, but one flaw in the system can cause a major malfunction.
Those garage door tracks are much more important than you might think. If there’s an issue with one of the components, it can throw off those tracks and reduce the lifespan of your garage door opening system. This can lead to expensive repairs or a full garage door replacement.
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to restore your garage doors to their former function and prevent costly repairs. There are five critical reasons to replace your garage door tracks, and we’ll explain them in this guide. Let’s get started.
“If you’re already replacing the garage doors, it makes sense to go ahead and also replace the garage door tracks at the same time. This ensures that new materials stay in balance with the other components.”
1. Uneven Operation
Garage door rollers and tracks work together to smoothly open and close your garage doors. But what happens when things get a little uneven over time?
If left unchecked, the imbalance can cause excessive wear and tear on your system. In addition, it can become a safety issue for your family. When the doors are unbalanced, it is possible that the safety system will stop functioning properly. This means that if you have pets and children, they are at risk of being hurt by the doors if they close unexpectedly. Also, your garage door can close on your vehicle and cause damage.
2. Structural Damage Risks
Faulty garage door tracks can lead to structural damage to the garage, the garage door hardware, or the house itself. If you’re already replacing the garage doors, it makes sense to go ahead and also replace the garage door tracks at the same time. This ensures that new materials stay in balance with the other components.
3. Excessive Rust, Dirt, Grime, and Debris
Sure, you can clean the garage door, garage door tracks, and even the garage door rollers. Yet there comes a point where even the cleanest person just can’t get all of the dirt and grime to come off these components. That means it’s time to replace them instead of trying to clean everything.
4. Upholding the Warranty Requirements
No one really looks at the fine print on those warranties, but if you want to keep your warranty intact, you’ll need to make sure that you replace the tracks and not just the garage door.
Generally speaking, the average warranty on garage doors also requires that you replace the underlying components when you replace the doors. This rule is designed for your safety and optimal garage door operation.
5. Reduced Homeowner’s Insurance Premiums
If you’re looking for ways to cut down on your homeowner’s insurance premiums, replacing your garage doors with a safety system can pay off over the course of your insurance policy. That’s because the safer the system, the less risk involved for the insurance company.
Your insurance carrier wants to have low-risk policyholders and will reward you with lower premiums if you can cut down your risk profile. This is just one way to accomplish that.
Don’t Go It Alone
While we’re big supporters of homeowners completing new DIY projects, we don’t recommend trying to replace your garage door tracks by yourself. There are multiple calibrations and skills involved that go far beyond simple DIY capabilities.
In terms of safety, efficiency, and functionality, it’s best to let a professional replace your garage door tracks and rollers. They’ll also make sure that the garage door repair is done properly by performing extensive testing.
At Austin’s Greater Garage Doors, we’re ready to provide any type of garage door repair in Austin and the surrounding areas. If you’re ready to get started, or just have a few questions, contact us today!
