When Should You Repair Or Replace A Garage Door?
Posted on: 11 March 2015
You are in a hurry and rush into your driveway, click your button to open the garage door, and . . . BAM! What happened? Your garage door didn't open but you drove in anyway. While this is an extreme scenario, it is pretty much indicative of how most people think a garage door failure occurs. One moment it is working, the next it isn't. However, there are usually signs before your door fails that can keep you from experiencing this unfortunate scenario.
How to Know if Your Garage Door Needs Service
Garage doors may be one of the areas of heaviest traffic in and out of your house. Most people leave and return at least twice a day, if not more. Many people run in and out of the house via the garage for quick trips to the garbage, side yard, etc. In all these trips, you can look for some key signs that your garage door is ready for service:
Too Much Noise During Operation
Garage doors make noise, but they should operate relatively smoothly in their tracks. If the door is squeaking excessively, you hear whining from the opener, unusual noises from the springs, or what sounds like popping from the wheels, your door likely needs to be serviced.
Garage Door Sags or Slides Back When Manually Opened
Granted, you probably don't have a manual garage door, but opening and shutting your door manually is a good test. Lift your door up about halfway (no need to strain yourself going all the way up) and let go. If the door starts to come back down, then likely one or more springs are wearing out and need to be replaced.
Wheels Skipping in the Track
The wheels that guide the door up and down should fit and move smoothly within the tracks. If those wheels skip and jump during operation, the door may be out of alignment. Re-balancing the door and adding new lubricant to the tracks can alleviate this problem without a costly repair.
Broken or Rotting Panels
Most doors today are made of metal or man-made materials. Some older doors or decorative doors are made of wood. Broken, bent, or decaying panels can hurt door operation and definitely compromise the integrity of the door. Sometimes, you can replace or patch individual portions of a door to extend its life.
When Should You Decide to Replace Instead?
Sometimes, a door just can't be fixed. How do you know when to throw in the towel? Really, the best way is to ask your repair technician, one like General Door Services. When you get an estimate of the repairs, you can also inquire as to the overall health of your garage door. If you are in for more frequent repairs or your door just won't operate as it used to, even with the repairs, it is time for a full door replacement.
Share