Imagine this! You come home one day and press the remote button for the door, but nothing happens. The door refuses to open. Or perhaps the door did open and now is refusing to close. This can create problems that pose a security threat to your vehicles and home.
If you accidentally back into your garage door and damage its panels, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It is common for people to hit the accelerator instead of the brake when taking vehicles out or for cars to crash into doors during the winter because they slide on the slippery ice.
However, you should be concerned with dealing with this problem straight away. As we mentioned earlier, not doing so can cause serious security issues (and affect your home’s curb appeal).
Table of Contents
Common Causes Of A Damaged Garage Door
There can be multiple reasons for a broken garage door. However, they can be classified simply into
- Technical issue
- Obstruction
- Wear and tear
- Old equipment
Common Causes Of A Damaged Garage Door
More specifically, the causes of a garage door include:
1. Broken springs
This is something inevitable. Depending on the amount of usage, your garage door springs will break and will be needed to be replaced.
2. Broken cables
Although deemed aircraft-quality, garage door cables become brittle over time and start to unwind and snap.
3. The photo-eye
Projecting an invisible beam to each other, photo eyes are located a few inches above the ground. They prevent the door from closing upon any obstruction in its path. However, if either of them becomes misaligned or their circuits are affected by bad weather or water damage, they can stop functioning.
4. Electrical issue
If a fuse blows or the electrical wires become frayed, the door can stop working.
5. Wear and tear
The door’s mechanisms, such as the rollers, become prone to wear and tear over time.
6. Obstructions
If you are one of those who use their garages as a storage unit, something can accidentally get knocked over and block the beam of the photo eyes. The door won’t close in such a scenario.
7. Getting off track
Misaligned garage door tracks can prevent the door from closing correctly.
Repair Options For Garage Door
Most of the time, replacing the garage door in case of minor damage is unnecessary. All you have to do is replace the damaged parts, such as springs, rollers, tracks, hinges, etc.
Sometimes, even with significant damage, you can have one of the panels replaced instead of entirely replacing the door. However, consulting a garage professional for Repair Tips is necessary.
Repair Options For Garage Door
Repair options can include:
1. Getting an inspection of your garage door
It is good to take care of your garage door by making self-inspections and applying lubricants now and then. However, a professional inspects at least twice a year. They can point out minor damages that would escape the common eye, such as:
- Slight damage to the surfaces
- Negligible damage
- Discoloration of paint
- We need to repaint the entire door
- We need to replace a window
Preserving the aesthetics of your garage door helps in the long run. It preserves curb appeal as well. However, one should know when the door has given up and should be replaced. Usually, a garage door over 15 years old should be replaced.
2. Placing the garage door back on its tracks
If the door gets misaligned from its tracks, it should be put back in place to allow standard opening and closure. It is advisable to call a professional for this job too.
3. Fixing a stuck garage door
Your door can be stuck due to a sensor obstruction, wheel track obstruction, garage door opener damage, etc. Partially open doors pose security threats to your home. Therefore, you should try closing them manually but without applying force. This keeps the motor, belt, and springs intact. Sometimes, even the lock gets damaged.
4. Fixing a garage door that makes a loud sound
Accumulation of debris or dirt can cause the door to make loud, screeching noises. Try cleaning the dirt (not with a harsh chemical) and applying a lubricant. If you do not have a garage door-specific lubricant, you use WD-40.
5. Attending to a quickly falling garage door
Broken chains or cables can lead to the door falling rapidly or bouncing around while moving. It is quite a budget-friendly repair and should be opted for straight away.
Garage Door Repair Costs
Garage Door Repair Costs
Repair costs usually vary depending on the degree of damage, the size of the door, the type of material it is made up of, etc.
In the case of an antique door, you might be unable to find replacement sections. Therefore, repairing the door will cost you much more than simply replacing it.
Lastly, the amount of labor required will cost you the most. If the door needs to be removed and reinstalled, you will have to pay much labor.
Bottom Line
Do you have a damaged garage door too? Are you looking for solutions for it? This article covers all the possible causes of a damaged garage door and its feasible solutions.
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