You walk to your garage door only to be greeted with a heavy, flappy sound. It feels like you are looking at a death sentence. Many people do not realize that repairing your garage door is not always about obtaining a new one. Sometimes it is very durable, and one could go on without having to replace it.
Despite the state of your garage door, if you have any doubts about what course of action to take next, it would be high time you get help from Chicago Garage Door experts. They will offer you different options and, more importantly, the best advice on which option would be the most suitable for your situation. Read on to learn when to repair your garage door instead of replacing it.
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When Does Your Garage Door Need Repair?
The garage door needs repair because of the following reasons:
- The door is noisy. There’s something wrong with the garage door opener when a door is noisy. Whether it’s just the bearings or something more serious like a broken belt, the noise can come from any number of problems.
- The door isn’t on track. It happens when one of the tracks is moving off its track. It can happen over time or because of a large object like a car or truck entering your garage. If the door isn’t on track, it can cause the entire garage structure to come crashing down around your head. It could even result in injury or death.
- The door is taking longer to close or open. The cables could be loose or broken. These cables should have a small hook on them and can be adjusted by pulling them out and pushing them back into place. You can also check for broken or worn-out parts in your garage door. It’s important to keep these parts lubricated regularly to ensure they last as long as possible.
- Damaged panel. Damaged panels can be dangerous if not repaired properly, so it’s important to fix them immediately. It’s not only a safety hazard if the damaged panels are left untreated—they could even lead to a complete collapse!
- Unbalanced doors. They break down and experience more problems than balanced ones. The door’s weight can be unevenly distributed across its width, which can cause it to snap or break. If your garage door is not swinging evenly or slowly, you should call a professional to inspect it for damage.
When Does Your Garage Door Need Replacing?
It is a huge investment, and you don’t want to lose out on money or have to deal with a bad experience because of a broken or damaged door. So when should you replace your garage door?
Damaged Completely
If there is rust on the hinges or weather stripping, it’s time for a new one. When your garage door gets damaged, for example, it can affect the functionality of your home. If you want to keep your home safe, upgrading to a new garage door is always an option!
Old Garage Door
If you’ve had your garage door for even 20 years or more, it might be time to replace it. The average life span of a residential garage door is between 10-20 years, depending on the type of material used in its construction and how often it’s opened and closed during those years. If the garage door is old, then it’s not energy efficient. If you want to save money on your utility bills, replacing your garage door every few years is important.
Multiple Damaged Panels
They’re made with multiple panels instead of one, which means they can get bent and broken over time, especially if they’re not properly maintained. Multiple damaged panels cause uneven weight distribution, which causes stress on the framework which can cause thieves to intrude on your property.
Structural Damage
It’s important to replace your garage door if there is any sign of structural damage or deterioration. You can tell if there is any structural damage by looking at the frame and seeing if it looks rusted or corroded. If you see this, it’s time to replace your garage door so that it doesn’t cause any further problems for you or your family members who use it regularly for storage space or shelter from the elements.
A garage door doesn’t last forever and can be overwhelming when it’s time for a replacement. But before spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new garage door, why not consider repairing your old one? It will save you money and give you peace of mind knowing that the job was done right the first time.