Having problems with your garage door? Has it started making strange noises or stopped working properly? Should you try and repair it, hire someone to repair it, or just simply buy a new door?
Well, first of all, you might not need to invest in a brand-new door. What you need to do, is identify the problem. We’ve created this guide to help.
Can I REPAIR my garage door?
Nine times out of ten, repairs are cheaper than replacements. And something else you should keep in mind is that the sooner you repair something the better. What might be a minor issue one week, could become something serious in three weeks’ time. And when it comes to a large moving object, like a garage door, you don’t want to take that risk.
Your garage door is starting to close, but then opens back up
Garage door specialists receive a lot of calls about this problem. If your garage door starts closing but then opens back up, it’s generally due to misaligned photo eyes on the safety reversing system. It could also be a sign that the wire connecting the two photo eye units has been severed, in which case you’ll need to contact a technician.
Your garage door closes, but more slowly than it used to
This is usually because the spring system is broken or has lost tension. This means that the door opener is working harder than normal, so you’ll probably also hear the gear system making thumping noises. There’s an easy way to see if this is the problem: Pull on the emergency release cord and open the door by hand. If it seems heavy to you (i.e. more than 10 lbs.), then a spring has lost all its tension. You’ll need to hire a technician to resolve the problem.
Your garage door is jerking or vibrating a lot when opening
You’ve probably got a broken or very frayed lifting cable. You can confirm this yourself, simply check the vertical tracks on each side of the door. If this isn’t the case, you might have a broken roller or a roller that’s come off its track. Again, contact a technician to resolve the problem.
Your garage door is making a short, loud noise
If the steel tracks on your garage door have become bent or twisted after being hit by something heavy, whether regular tracks or commercial grade tracks, your garage door might make a short, loud noise when operating. Again, you need to rectify this situation right away, and you’ll need to contact a specialist.
Do I need to REPLACE my garage door?
You shouldn’t simply replace a garage door because it’s old, some doors installed over 25 years ago still work perfectly. Generally, this is because the entire system has been looked after, repairs have been carried out as necessary and the door has been maintained as it should be: i.e., the moving parts have been properly lubricated at least twice a year.
But there are some occasions where garage doors, and garage door systems, need replacing. For example:
Your garage door system has been used under harsh conditions
If you have an unheated, non-insulated garage, it’s likely to be very humid. Unless you have heavy-duty hardware installed, the environment will take its toll on your door and lead to rust. In which case, the door and the system should be replaced.
One of the sections of your garage door is badly damaged
If you’ve badly damaged one of the sections of the garage door you might have to think about getting it replaced. Of course, it depends on the extent of the damage. But, continuing to use a garage door with one or more broken sections can lead to other problems, including rust.
You want to sell your home
If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, you’re likely doing everything you can for a quick sale. Any real estate agent will tell you that a good-looking garage door that fits with your home’s overall look improves curb appeal and will help sell your home more quickly.
What do I need to remember?
Your garage door is your home’s largest moving object and so you have to put your safety first. To ensure you’re making the right decision, speak to an expert! Call us today at 1-800-425-0662 or request a detailed quote for repairs or a replacement door.
If you would prefer, we can even come out to your home and advise you about the best choice to make. If you are thinking about changing the door, why not look through out image gallery for inspiration or try out our Design Centre tool?
Add new comment