Tracks and cables
Off-track doorand cable repair
Stop using the door. A door off its track or missing a cable can twist or fall, so keep clear and call.
While the door is off its track
Safe to do
- Keep people and pets out from under and beside the door.
- Take photos of the corner and any damage.
- Tell the contractor if a car bumped it, or if it happened after a storm.
Leave alone
- Don't run the opener. It can twist the door or break panels.
- Don't pry a roller back in.
- Don't touch a hanging cable. It may still be under load.
- Don't try to close a door that's partly open and crooked.
How it usually happens
A bumper or a bike knocks the lower corner and a roller pops out. Or a loose track bends, or a cable snaps or slips off its drum and one side drops.
What the repair should cover
Ask the contractor to check the track for bends, the cables and drums, and the panels and hinges for cracks. Putting a door back on its track while a cable or spring is damaged can lead to a second failure.
After hail or wind
Check the tracks and lower panels for dents and bends before you run the door. If you may claim on insurance, take dated photos first. Don't agree to permanent repairs on the spot from someone who knocked on your door.
Ready to talk to a contractor?
Your call goes to an independent contractor who works in this area. Say what the door is doing, ask what the price covers, and ask for license details before you agree to anything.