What counts as an emergency garage door repair?

A garage door becomes an emergency when it creates a safety or security problem that leaving it alone will not solve. In practice that means the door is stuck open, crooked or off its track, or a spring or cable has failed and the door may drop. Those calls go ahead of routine work.

Call right away if

• The door is stuck open and the garage or house cannot be secured
• The door is off its track, sagging or hanging crooked in the opening
• A spring or cable failed while the door was open or partway up
• The door is damaged and you cannot tell whether it will stay put

Usually a regular appointment

A door that is fully closed and secure, with a remote, keypad or opener fault, is normally not an emergency. When you call, describe any visible damage before trying to run the door again. If you are unsure which category you are in, call (916) 838-8182 and describe what you see. We confirm availability and the next safe step based on the situation.

What to do until help arrives

• Leave a damaged door where it is. Do not force it with the opener or by hand.
• Do not pull the emergency release on an open, off-track or damaged door, or when a spring or cable has failed.
• Keep people, pets and vehicles out from under the door.
• Lock the interior door into the house only if you can reach it without going near the damaged garage door.
• Remember that unplugging an opener with battery backup does not stop it.

For more on keeping the house safe while you wait, see how to secure a garage when the door won't close.

Read more

• Emergency garage door repair
• Off-track garage door repair
• Garage door stuck halfway

Related questions

• How quickly can a technician get to me?
• Do you repair garage doors at night or on weekends?
• Do you offer same-day garage door repair?
• How do I secure my garage if the door won't close?

Have a different question? Call (916) 838-8182 or browse all garage door questions.