Whether your door is currently off its track or you’re reading this post because you’d like to know what to do in case it ever happens, you’ve come to the right place. An "off track" door is not just unattractive; it can be unstable and a safety hazard to anyone or anything nearby.
If your garage door is off its tracks, stay calm and stay away from the door. Don’t try to operate it, and don’t attempt to move it manually. Moving a door that’s off its tracks is very dangerous and could cause extensive damage your door. Call a trusted garage door technician. Your tech will inspect the system and put the door back on track if it’s safe to do so.
If the door has been damaged, it may be repairable. It may need to be straightened, or perhaps some of the panels will need to be replaced. If the damage is too extensive, however, it might need to be replaced. This is the worst-case scenario; in most cases, the door will simply need to be put back on its tracks.
Why did my garage door fall off track?
SPRINGS
Doors often fall off their tracks when their springs break or snap. Springs don’t last forever, and they’re not meant to. It’s important to replace them when they wear down before they reach breaking point. Learn more about garage door springs, how to maintain them, when to replace them, and what to do if they break, by reading our previous post, “Help! My garage door spring is broken!”
For garage doors with two springs, sometimes only one breaks, causing a door to fall off track on just one side, which is what can make it appear uneven. If a spring breaks, even if it's only one, it’s wise to replace both of them at the same time. If your springs were installed at the same time and one has worn out, chances are the other one won’t be far behind. Replacing both springs simultaneously will also make it easier to determine when they need to be replaced again in the future.
OBSTRUCTION
Another reason a door may fall off its track is if something, such as a bike or trash can, is left in the door’s path when it comes down. This typically shouldn’t happen, since most garage doors have photo eyes that won't allow the door to close if an object is in the door's path. However, if the eyes aren’t aligned or have been knocked out of place, they won't prevent the door from closing on an object. To prevent this from happening, you should check your photo eyes regularly to make sure they're working properly.
FORCE
The third way a door can come off its track is if something runs into it. Whether someone accidently backs out before the door is open all the way or puts the car into the drive position instead of reverse when attempting to back out of the driveway (yes, it happens), the impact could be powerful enough to knock the door off track.
Garage Door Repair in Des Moines
If your door is off its tracks, don’t sweat it. We’ve got your back! Contact us and we’ll promptly deal with the problem so you can use your garage again. We don’t recommend trying to fix the door yourself. Garage doors are extremely heavy and dangerous for anyone other than an experienced professional to attempt to fix on his or her own. Give us a call, or request a quote by clicking below!
