Garage Door Problems Should You Repair or Replace?

Below are a few things to know about repairing or replacing your garage door.

When to Repair Your Garage Door

Normally, repairing your garage door is less costly than replacing it. For that reason, if your garage door isn’t working properly or has a little damage, it’s best to do all you can to repair the problems before things get worse.

The Garage Door is Not Working

If your garage door isn’t working properly, or has simply stopped working altogether, there’s probably a very quick fix, but garage door repair can be tricky. It’s always best to contact a professional technician to make repairs. Expert technicians will identify what caused the problem and they’ll have the tools, knowledge, and skills to fix it quickly and safely.

The Garage Door is Moving Slowly

Over time, garage door springs can lose tension or break, which may cause your door to move more slowly or stop opening.  Unhook the emergency release on the door, so you can open the door manually.  If your door feels heavy when you try to lift it, then there is likely a problem with the torsion springs.  Adjusting garage door springs on your own is dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, so it’t best to contact a professional in these situations.

The Garage Door is Crooked or Misaligned

This is likely an issue related to broken or damaged garage door cables or the springs.  This is a repair that can be handled quickly and easily by a professional garage door service.

Bent or Damaged Tracks

Garage door tracks are typically made of metal that is pretty durable even after it’s been bent.  Fixing a bent track is often as simple as straightening it out with a wrench and a hammer.  If the damage is more severe, then it may be time to replace the track.  Fortunately, broken tracks can be swapped out fairly quickly.

Safety Concerns with Garage Door Repairs

Since it’s not always obvious when something’s unsafe with your garage door, it’s very important to have it regularly inspected. Unsafe doors can usually be repaired, making your family and belongings that much safer.

When to Replace Your Garage Door

Believe it or not, there aren’t many reasons why you’d need to completely replace your garage door. To protect the property you store in your garage, garage doors have to be durable, which means they’re built to last. However, there might come a time when you’ll have to decide whether or not replacing your garage door is the right decision, and it helps to be informed about your options.

The Garage Door is Dented or Damaged

If your garage door is dented, warped, scratched, rusting, or showing any other signs of damage, it might be time to replace your door. Garage doors can be damaged by extreme weather, vehicle contact, or general wear and tear. If your doors are worn, the garage door opener, tracks, and springs can be damaged or stressed as well, which can be a safety risk. In these cases, it’s always a good idea to have a professional technician assess the damage.

If your garage door isn’t working properly, or isn’t working at all, it’s possible your garage doors or garage door opener may need to be repaired. After proper measures have been made to attempt a repair, having a professional’s opinion can help you decide if replacement is necessary.

The Garage Door has a Damaged Panel

If there’s damage to a section of your garage door, it’s better to get it taken care of right away.  Though small scratches or dents may seem trivial, if left unchecked, weak spots in the door can create potential safety issues down the line. If the damage is only to one section or panel of the door, it may be possible to repair the damage by replacing the panel, rather than the entire door.  However, matching a new panel to the color of your door isn’t as simple as getting the same color and model.  As doors age, sunlight fades the color and makes it more difficult and more costly to match it exactly.

Upgrading Your Garage Door for Cosmetic Reasons

A new garage door can improve your home’s curb appeal and add to the value of your home. If you garage door is many years old, it might even be out of style. Cracked, warped, and worn-out doors are not very appealing on a home. If your garage doors are really showing their age, it may be worth considering replacement.

Written By: ANCO Overhead Door

Anco Overhead Door is a family-owned company, specializing in residential garage door repair services for St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri. Their certified garage door repair technicians are expertly trained to take on any overhead door job from repair to complete replacement, while providing excellent and timely customer service.