Repairing the track on your garage door can be a little tedious, but the process isn’t that difficult if you have the right tools. You’ll just need to know what to do, and when to call a professional if anything goes wrong.

First, you’ll need to check the metal tracks located in the garage. Be sure to inspect the mounting brackets that attach the track to the walls of the garage. If the tracks are loose, tighten the screws and bolts at the brackets. It’s best to work inside the garage with the door closed, and check the tracks for crimps, spots that are flat, and dents. If you see any damage, use a mallet or hammer to pound them out. If you use a hammer, use some scrap wood to help shape the track and prevent any further damage. If the tracks are severely distorted, it’s time to replace them.

Next, you’ll need to check the tracks with a level to ensure that they are aligned properly. If the tracks are horizontal, they should slant downward toward the back of your garage. If you have a roll-up door, the vertical parts of the track need to be exactly plumb. Make sure that both of the tracks are the same height in terms of how they are positioned on the walls of the garage. If the tracks aren’t aligned well, loosen the tracks but don’t take the bolts or screws from the mounting brackets completely. Tap the tracks into the correct position and check the tracks again with a level so you can be sure they’re in the right position before tightening the screws or bolts to hold the tracks into their new position.

After this, you’ll need to clean the tracks. You can use a concentrated household cleanser to get the dirt and tough-to-remove grease off the tracks. Your rollers should also be cleaned well, and be sure to that you wipe the tracks and rollers dry so that they will function at their best and won’t be affected by water damage in the future.

If you’re fixing nicks or dings in the tracks, there’s a chance that this happened while the track and garage door were being installed. While you may not think this detail is important, remember that if the metal loses its shape, it will affect the way the garage door works. To keep this from happening, give the track a thorough inspection after installation to make sure everything is correctly positioned. If you see dents, pound them out with a rubber mallet without using too much pressure.

Finally, keep in mind that there are times when the garage door tracks won’t work, such as when the power goes out. If this happens, look for a cord with a red handle hanging from the guide track. This is what the opener in the electronic system uses to open and close the garage door. When you pull the cord or handle, you’ll be able to open and close the garage door with a little force.