We get calls about a garage door off track every week from Bolingbrook and the rest of the western suburbs. It happens when one or more rollers slip out of the metal track, and the door hangs at an angle or jams halfway. These are the questions homeowners ask us most.
How Did This Even Happen?
There are a few usual causes we see over and over. A car bumping the door or the track can knock it out of alignment, and a broken cable or spring leaves one side without support, so it drops and pulls rollers loose. Worn rollers and loose track bolts let the door drift over time, and sometimes a bike or a trash can in the way forces the door sideways while it closes. (Kids’ bikes left near the door are a repeat offender in the suburbs.)
Can I Still Use the Door?
No, and please leave the opener alone too. Running the opener can bend the track or crack panels, so leave the door alone until it’s been checked.
Can I Push It Back Into the Track Myself?
We’d ask you not to try that, since the door can weigh a lot, and it may still be under spring tension, which makes it risky to handle by hand.
So What Should I Do Right Now?
Unplug the opener, keep everyone in the household clear of the door, and give us a call. When our technician arrives, they will secure the door, check the cables and springs, and reset or replace the track and rollers as needed. We also look for the root cause, so the problem doesn’t come back next week.
How Do I Keep It from Happening Again?
Homeowners can keep the track area clear, watch for rollers that wobble or grind, and call for service when the door starts running unevenly. Catching it early is far easier than dealing with a garage door off track on a busy morning.
1 Stop Garage Doors repairs off-track doors in Bolingbrook, Naperville, Aurora and nearby towns. Call (630) 520-5088 for a free quote.