A bent, loose or misaligned track makes the door bind, shake or jump out of its path, and an off-track door can fall. In Edmonton, realigning an off-track door typically costs $150 to $300 plus GST, and straightening or repairing a bent track typically costs $250 to $450 plus GST. We find out why the door left the track, fix the track and replace anything that was damaged along with it, then test the door before we leave. If your door is crooked, stuck or has slipped out of the track, stop using it and call us at 780-908-0907. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A door that is off its track can fall without warning. Do not run the opener, do not push the door back into the track and do not stand under it. The bottom corners of the door connect to cables under heavy spring tension, so do not loosen or adjust anything near the bottom brackets or the lower track. Keep people, pets and vehicles clear and call a technician.
Signs of a Track Problem
- A door that has slipped out of the track on one or both sides
- A gap between the roller and the track, or a roller sitting outside the rail
- A bent, dented or twisted section of track
- Loose or missing track brackets, or a track that moves when you touch it
- A door that binds, jerks, sticks halfway or shakes as it moves
- Grinding or scraping that comes from the sides of the door
- Shiny scrape marks or black residue on the inside of the track
- A door that hangs crooked or looks higher on one side
- An opener that strains, slows down or stops partway
A track problem rarely stays small. A bent track chews up rollers, and a loose track lets the door twist, which strains the cables, the springs and the opener.
What to Do Right Now
- Stop using the door. Do not run the opener. It can drag the door further out of line.
- Keep everyone clear. Keep people, pets and vehicles away from the door and anything parked under it.
- Do not push or bend anything back. Forcing a door into the track creases the panels and breaks the rollers.
- Do not stand or reach into the path of the door.
- Take a photo if you can do it safely. It helps us bring the right parts.
- Call us. If a vehicle is trapped or the door blocks your only way in, say so at the start of the call.
For a step-by-step, read our guide on what to do and what never to do when a garage door comes off track.
Vertical Tracks and Horizontal Tracks
A garage door runs on two tracks on each side.
Vertical tracks run up the side of the door opening. The rollers travel up them as the door starts to open. The bottom of each vertical track sits next to the bracket that holds the lift cable, so this is the part that carries the most force.
Horizontal tracks run back along the ceiling. The door rolls onto them as it opens and rests there when it is fully up. They are held by hangers fixed to the ceiling or the framing.
The two tracks meet at a curve. A dent or a gap at that curve is one of the most common reasons a roller jumps out.
Why Garage Door Tracks Go Out of Line
A knock from a vehicle or an object. Even a light bump can bend a track or shift a bracket. Icy driveways make bumps more likely in Edmonton.
A broken or worn roller. A roller that cracks or flattens can pop out of the rail. See our roller replacement service.
A snapped or uneven cable. A cable that fails lets one side of the door drop, which pulls the door off the track. See our cable repair service.
Loose brackets and fasteners. Daily vibration loosens the bolts that hold the track. Once the track can move, the door can twist.
Ice, snow and debris. Packed snow and ice in the lower track can stop a roller and push the door sideways.
Rust and salt. Road salt corrodes the lower track and brackets and weakens them.
A spring that is out of balance. An unbalanced door puts uneven load on the tracks. See our spring repair service.
If a track keeps going out of line, the cause is usually one of these. Fixing only the track and not the cause means the door will come off again.
Track Repair, Realignment or Replacement?
| What we find | What we do |
|---|---|
| Loose brackets, slightly out of line | Tighten and realign the track |
| Door off the track, track not damaged | Reset the door, check the rollers and cables, and realign |
| Bent or dented track, still straight enough to run | Straighten and secure the track |
| Badly bent, creased, twisted or rusted track | Replace the track section or the full track |
| Track fine but rollers, hinges or cable damaged | Replace those parts and realign |
We tell you which one applies after the inspection and before any work starts. A track that has been bent and straightened more than once is usually worth replacing.
How We Repair a Garage Door Track
- Make the door safe. If the door is off track, we secure it so it cannot fall. This is the step we do not recommend doing yourself.
- Inspect the full door. We check both tracks, the brackets, the rollers, the hinges, the cables, the drums, the springs and the opener. A track problem often comes with another worn part.
- Explain the findings and the price. You get the cause, the options and the full price before we start.
- Straighten, realign or replace the track. We set the track square, parallel and at the correct distance from the door so the rollers move freely without rubbing.
- Replace damaged parts. Rollers, hinges, brackets and cables that were hurt in the incident are replaced as needed.
- Balance and test. We lift the door by hand, then run it on the opener and test the safety reverse and sensors.
Garage Door Track Repair Cost in Edmonton
Prices depend on the door size, the type of damage and what else is worn. These are typical Edmonton ranges. All prices are plus GST.
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Service call and diagnosis | $90 to $130 |
| Off-track door reset and realignment | $150 to $300 |
| Bent track straightening or repair | $250 to $450 |
| Track replacement, one or both sides | Priced after inspection |
| Roller replacement, full set, if also needed | $150 to $260 |
| Cable replacement, pair, if also needed | $180 to $320 |
Heavy insulated doors, double doors and commercial doors cost more. We give you the full price before we start. For a full list of repair prices, see our guide to what it costs to fix a garage door in Edmonton.
What Not to Do
- Do not keep running the opener. This is the most common reason a small job becomes an expensive one.
- Do not try to bend the track back with a hammer or pliers. You can crease it and make it worse.
- Do not loosen bolts at the bottom of the track. The brackets there connect to cables under tension.
- Do not oil the track. Oil collects dirt. Wipe the track clean and lubricate the rollers and hinges instead.
- Do not assume it is fixed because the door is back in the track. The cause is still there until a technician finds it.
Commercial Overhead Door Track Repair
Commercial doors have larger and heavier tracks, and a door that is off track stops loading and deliveries. We repair and replace tracks on commercial overhead doors in Edmonton and Nisku. Block off the opening and keep staff and vehicles clear until we arrive. See our commercial overhead door service.
How to Keep Tracks in Good Shape
- Wipe salt, slush and dirt off the lower track after a snowfall.
- Look at the tracks each fall. Check for loose brackets, dents and gaps.
- Keep the area around the door clear so vehicles and tools do not hit it.
- Lubricate the rollers and hinges once a year. Leave the track dry.
- Book a yearly inspection. Our garage door maintenance service checks the tracks, brackets and rollers.
Need Help Right Now?
A door that is off track can trap a vehicle or leave the garage open. Read about our emergency garage door repair in Edmonton. If the door is closed and safe, see our same-day garage door repair. For other damage, our broken garage door repair service covers it in the same visit.
Garage Door Track Repair Across the Edmonton Region
We repair garage door tracks in Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Beaumont, Nisku and Fort Saskatchewan.
Why Edmonton Homeowners Call Fix in Budget
- We find the cause. We check the cables, rollers and springs, not only the track, so the door stays on.
- Safe first. We secure the door before we start the repair.
- Price before work. You approve the cost first.
- Plain advice. We tell you when a track can be straightened and when it is worth replacing.
- Local team. We work out of Chappelle Rd. SW and know what Edmonton winters do to doors.
- Open 24/7. Doors come off the track at night and on weekends too.
Garage Door Track FAQs
How do I know if my garage door track is bent or misaligned?
Look for a door that binds, shakes or sticks, a gap between a roller and the track, a dented or twisted section of rail, scrape marks inside the track or a door that hangs crooked. Grinding from the sides of the door is another sign.
Can I use my garage door if the track is bent?
No. A bent track makes the door bind and can let it jump out of the track. Running the opener against it strains the motor and can drop the door. Stop using it and call a technician.
How much does garage door track repair cost in Edmonton?
Realigning an off-track door typically costs $150 to $300 plus GST. Straightening or repairing a bent track typically costs $250 to $450 plus GST. Replacement is priced after inspection. We confirm the full price before we start.
Can I fix a bent garage door track myself?
We do not recommend it. The tracks connect to brackets and cables that hold the door under spring tension, and a wrong adjustment can drop the door. Hammering a bent track often makes the bend worse. A technician has the tools to straighten and align it safely.
Should a bent track be repaired or replaced?
A track with a small bend can often be straightened. A badly bent, creased, twisted or rusted track should be replaced. A track that has been straightened before usually does not hold its shape for long.
Why does my garage door keep coming off the track?
Usually the track is not the only problem. Worn rollers, an uneven cable, a loose bracket, a weak spring or a door that has been hit can all cause it. If the cause is not fixed, the door will come off again.
How long does track repair take?
Most track jobs take about an hour. Replacing a full track, or repairing a door that also needs cables, rollers or springs, takes longer.
Do you repair tracks on commercial doors?
Yes. We repair and replace tracks on commercial overhead doors in Edmonton and Nisku. Call us with the door type and the damage and we will tell you what to expect.
Call Fix in Budget for Garage Door Track Repair in Edmonton
A door that is off track will not fix itself, and using it makes the damage worse. Call 780-908-0907 or request a quote and we will get a technician to you. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
