Garage doors run along a series of tracks. Pulling the door up and down is a garage door opener. If the opener is adjusted properly, the garage door will move up and down in an even motion. Without proper adjustment, however, the unit may run along the tracks unevenly. This will cause the unit to stick. Warping of the door will also cause it to run crooked and stick in the tracks. Regular adjustment will prevent a crooked door.

  • Garage doors run along a series of tracks.
  • Warping of the door will also cause it to run crooked and stick in the tracks.

Inspect the tracks of the garage door for signs of dirt or other obstructions. Clean out the track of the garage door with a brush to prevent drag.

  • Inspect the tracks of the garage door for signs of dirt or other obstructions.
  • Clean out the track of the garage door with a brush to prevent drag.

Inspect the door for signs of warping.

Insert the end of a tension rod into the corner of the door and tighten down using a wrench if the door is warped. Attach the other end to the top corner of the door. Turn the turnbuckle in the middle of the tension rod until it pulls the door straight.

Turn the force adjustment screw clockwise to increase the force the door opens to prevent drag on one side of the door. Insert a screwdriver into the door opener. Turn the screw clockwise to increase the door pressure and counterclockwise to decrease. Turn a one-quarter turn at a time to keep adjustments to a minimum.

TIP

Inspect the springs of the garage door opener for signs of rust, wear or sagging. Call out a professional garage door repair technician to replace the springs if necessary. Springs are at an extremely high tension and are quite dangerous to replace.