Your garage door is an investment in your property’s appearance and safety – real estate professionals estimate that a new garage door can boost a home’s list price by 1 to 4 percent. Unlike gutters, your garage door is more complicated and involves delicate electrical systems and powerful motors. Additionally, a malfunctioning door can be a safety hazard to your family and pets.
Even with attentive care and maintenance, over time garage doors eventually, require repairs or replacement. Sometimes they are difficult to lift, behave erratically, stop tracking correctly or become damaged by inclement weather or vehicle bumps and dings. At some point, most homeowners find themselves asking the question, “Do I need to repair or replace my garage door?” The following information will help you determine if your garage door can or should be repaired or replaced.
Your Garage Door Suddenly Stops Working
If you are heading out to work one morning and your garage door won’t open, it may not be serious at all, and may only need one of a couple of simple garage door repairs. It could be an issue easily addressed with a garage door opener repair for a faulty remote or just need a basic garage door spring repair. Check your remote’s batteries and replace them if needed. If that doesn’t do the trick, call in a professional garage door repair service.
The Door Is Heavy
Garage doors are heavy, and need properly working springs to reduce wear and tear on your lift motor, as well as to allow you to open the door by hand. If the door is difficult to lift and feels heavy, it’s likely your springs need replacing. While replacing a worn spring is typically a quick and affordable repair, it’s one that’s best left to the professionals – springs can snap and cause severe injuries. Letting the springs wear down your lift motor will just add to eventual garage door repair costs.
Damaged Panels
It’s easy to damage a garage door panel by backing into it with your car or bumping it with the lawn mower. In many cases, garage door panel repair can be as easy as just replacing the single damaged panel. Call your garage door expert to find out if there’s a panel replacement for your specific door model and design. Watch out for rust, though – if one panel is rusted there is a chance there is more rust involved that can compromise your door. If more than one panel is damaged, it’s time to call your garage door dealer for a replacement.
Your Door Is Old
Your garage doors add a lot to your property’s curb appeal. Fading paint can be touched up, but if your door is old, it’s a good idea to replace it with a new one, especially it it’s been having issues. Not only will a new, contemporary style give your home a facelift, but newer models offer improved security and safety features, and can even increase your home’s energy efficiency by stopping the leak of air in and out of your home.
You Have Experienced A Break-In
No matter how old your door is, if you have had a burglary where thieves breached your garage door, it’s time to replace it. Changing your home’s security code isn’t enough. A new door will provide assurance that the thief won’t be able to take advantage of whatever security weakness your door has.
Your Door Lacks Safety Features
Many older doors lack features that prevent children or pets from being harmed when they close. Newer models feature sensors that can tell when a child or pet is on the threshold, preventing it from lowering completely. Others can sense something is putting pressure on the door, causing it to halt before injuries are sustained or possessions are crushed.
Need help with a repair? Contact your experts at Overhead Door Company of Wilmington™.
