The most common garage door issues involve broken springs/cables, opener problems, sensor malfunctions, track misalignments, and worn rollers. These issues often lead to the door being noisy, uneven, and possibly not opening.
If you are experiencing issues, it can be hard to know when to call a professional to repair or replace your garage door. Damage can be grouped into three categories but, first, rule out the simple fix of just replacing the batteries.
Minor:
- Cosmetic damages like chipped paint or small cracks that do not prohibit the door’s function.
- Minor damage does not usually mean replacement. Small cracks can be filled with wood putty. And depending on the material, a replacement panel probably makes more sense than a door replacement.
Moderate:
- Any warping or rusting causing structural damage to the garage door can warrant replacing the door and is most likely the appropriate decision.
- A door sensor malfunction can occur for a variety of reasons; however, in many cases it doesn’t require a complete replacement.
- Door heaviness can mean that there is a problem with the springs. If the heaviness issue is neglected, this can become a severe problem. It is important to address the concern as soon as you notice it so the repair cost and labor doesn’t escalate.
Severe:
- The door is non-functional and possibly sticking, noisy, or the inability to open
- Replacing the door is the only solution; however, assess the condition of screws, springs, rollers, and cables to ensure replacements will not resolve the issue(s).
Even though a damage assessment is a must, it is also wise to consider the age of your garage door. Most garage doors last 10 to 20 years. Older garage doors need frequent repairs and that can be more costly; creating an expensive long term bill. It is important to determine whether or not pests and rodents can get into your home through the damaged garage door. If they can enter through the damaged garage door, a replacement becomes even more necessary.
Overall, garage doors can be challenging to repair so it’s always good to have a solid lifeline to a trusted professional.