The Strangest Things Found Stuck in a Garage Door Track

As garage door professionals, we’ve seen our fair share of oddities, and each one makes for a great story (and a reminder that you should always keep your garage tidy).

Garage doors are one of those household features we often take for granted—until they stop working. Most of us have seen the usual suspects clogging up the garage door tracks: dirt, debris, maybe a stray leaf or two. But sometimes, the things that get caught in those tracks are downright bizarre. As garage door professionals, we’ve seen our fair share of oddities, and each one makes for a great story (and a reminder that you should always keep your garage tidy). Here are a few of the strangest things we've found stuck in a garage door track over the years.

The Tennis Ball That Thought It Was a Bowling Ball

Tennis balls are a common sight in many garages, often used to mark the height of a car, entertain pets, or simply get lost under a pile of forgotten junk. However, we once encountered a tennis ball that decided to get a little too adventurous. Somehow, it wedged itself perfectly in the track, preventing the garage door from opening. Despite its innocent appearance, the tennis ball proved to be a surprisingly stubborn culprit. After some careful maneuvering and a few choice words, we were able to free it, restoring the door’s function and making us all question how such a simple object could cause such a headache.

A Forgotten Flip-Flop

Flip-flops, sandals, and other footwear often have a mysterious way of disappearing when you least expect them. One day, we were called in to fix a door that would neither open nor close properly. After a quick inspection, we discovered a lone flip-flop trapped in the track. How it ended up there remains a mystery, but the rubber sole had become lodged just enough to block the door’s smooth movement. After removing the flip-flop, the door was able to operate again, but the homeowner was left wondering just how long that shoe had been hiding in the track, silently preventing the door from functioning.

A Garden Hose That Got a Little Too Comfortable

We’ve all had that moment when we’re in a rush and leave the garden hose coiled up haphazardly in the garage, only to find it tangled in the most inconvenient spot later. However, one of the most unusual things we’ve come across was a garden hose that had somehow snaked its way into the garage door track. The hose had gotten caught between the track and the door itself, causing the door to stall every time it tried to open. The strangest part? The hose was completely undamaged, as if it had been placed there deliberately to add a little drama to the morning routine. We had a good laugh when it was finally freed, but it’s a reminder to always store your garden tools and hoses in a safe spot.

The Family Pet’s Favorite Toy

It’s not uncommon for pets to stash their favorite toys in peculiar places, and we’ve seen many dogs and cats alike drop chew toys, balls, and even socks into garage door tracks. But there was one instance when a dog’s squeaky toy found itself wedged in the track. The door couldn’t open or close properly, and the squeaky toy was the only thing keeping it from moving. Upon closer inspection, we saw that the toy had become stuck in such a way that it blocked the door’s sensors, preventing the automatic functions from working. Once the toy was removed, the door was back in business, and the dog’s squeaky friend was returned to its rightful place.

A Stapler? Seriously?

Sometimes, garage door problems seem to arise from the most inexplicable items. One of the most baffling things we’ve found lodged in a track was a stapler. It wasn’t a giant industrial stapler, either, but a simple, everyday office staple. We couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of it. How, when, and why it ended up there remains a mystery. Perhaps someone had been cleaning out the car and absentmindedly tossed it in the garage, or maybe a curious child had gotten creative with their new toy. Regardless of how it happened, the stapler was removed without much fanfare, and the door resumed its regular operation.

The Forgotten Pizza Box

Sometimes, people use their garage as an extension of their kitchen, especially after a long day when they just want to stash the pizza box somewhere before dealing with it later. But what happens when you forget about that pizza box—specifically, when it’s left directly in the path of your garage door’s track? We once came across an old pizza box that had been flattened and had managed to slide right into the track. Of course, it wasn’t visible at first glance. However, once we opened up the track to inspect, there it was, sitting harmlessly but firmly between the wheels. Removing it was quick, but it left us wondering how many more forgotten pizza boxes were lurking around garages everywhere.

The Stray Piece of Wood

For homeowners who like to do DIY projects, the garage often becomes a makeshift workshop. Unfortunately, stray pieces of wood—especially the small ones—have a tendency to end up in places where they shouldn’t. One time, we were called to fix a door that was making a strange noise and had trouble moving. After checking the track, we found a small piece of wood jammed in the mechanism. It wasn’t big enough to cause immediate damage, but it was enough to cause the door to hang up mid-movement. Once removed, everything was running smoothly, but it made us chuckle to think of how an innocuous scrap of wood could become such a hassle.

What We’ve Learned: Clean Your Garage Tracks Regularly

While it’s impossible to predict what strange items might get stuck in a garage door track, one thing is clear: a clean and clutter-free garage is key to preventing these bizarre issues. Regularly inspecting and clearing the tracks of debris, toys, or tools is essential for keeping your garage door working smoothly. While you may never know what you’ll find next, it’s always best to stay ahead of any potential problems.

Sometimes the most unusual items can cause the biggest headaches, but with a little care and attention, those headaches can be avoided altogether. And if you do find something odd in your garage door track, it might just make for a great story the next time you need to call in the professionals!

Phoenician Garage Door & Repair offers full-service garage new installations, repairs, openers, and garage door inspection in Maricopa County. Emergency service available. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Call us to learn more.