Have you ever thought why sliding garage doors are so stable? They actually run through tracks at both their bottom and top parts and, this way, they are secured. You can understand the practicality and actual necessity of tracks if you also consider the movement of your overhead door. Notice that the door manages to travel upwards and downwards thanks to this simple track system.
Garage door tracks are just simple steel rails but they are extremely useful and absolutely necessary to these types of doors. Without them the movement of the door would be impossible and that's why the slightest problem in the form of dents, rust or worse damages will surely compromise the good movement of the door and possibly your safety.
Keep the tracks in tip-top condition
Tracks and garage door rollers make a perfect pair! Practically, this means that they must both be in excellent condition if you want to see the door moving properly. If the tracks are dented, the rollers will find obstructions and won't be able to complete the trip up and down carrying the door. So, the door won't open or close fully! Who would want that! For this reason and since no one wants to see his safety being compromised, damaged garage door tracks must be fixed immediately.
In the meantime, you must inspect them and make sure they are okay and perfectly lubricated. If the rollers and tracks are not lubricated properly, they will start making terrible, annoying noises that won't only irritate you but friction will also wear them out sooner. It's very important to remember cleaning the tracks before lubrication maintenance. They must be actually cleaned from old oils and grime, dirt and dust or the new lubricants will stick on the residues of these substances and the rollers will have a hard time moving. When you clean them, make sure to remove dirt well until you see the metal again and remember to cover the tracks when you paint the door. Dried varnish will still obstruct the rolling of the wheels!