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These are the top five garage door problems you may stumble upon, and you shouldn’t ignore them. Read on!
Garage doors are one of the most used home appliances, and yet, many homeowners underestimate the importance of regular garage door maintenance. Sure, it’s not that you should call a professional every time your door makes a funny noise.
Nevertheless, there are some issues you shouldn’t ignore. Moreover, certain problems will occur even if your garage door is well-maintained, decreasing your door’s lifespan and leading to more serious issues.
The rule is simple – the sooner you deal with a problem, the less money you’ll need to spend on repairs. There’s a trick, though. How to determine that your garage door may require repairing or replacing?
To help you with that, we’ve prepared a list of the most common garage door issues you should never ignore. Make sure you read it carefully, though. The chances are that you’ve been experiencing such problems for a while now.
Broken or Missing Door Springs
When was the last time you checked whether all your garage door springs are alive and well? A few years ago? More likely, the answer is never. If that’s the case, then it’s best you head down to your garage as soon as you finish reading the article.
Door springs are one of the most important parts of garage doors. They allow your door to close or open smoothly and safely. As soon as one of them is missing or broken, the garage door may become dangerous to operate.
Fortunately, it’s a problem you can deal with yourself. Repairing a damaged spring shouldn’t be an issue. However, it’s best to ensure you know what to do.
Squeaking and Squealing Noises
Finding out that a door spring is missing can be challenging. When it comes to our next item on the list, though, the problem is rather hard to miss. After all, it’s challenging not to hear if your garage door makes an odd noise. However, not all sounds mean serious trouble.
For example, if your door is squeaking or squealing while opening and closing, it could mean you simply need to lubricate it. If that’s the case, you shouldn’t call a garage door service. Just buy a lubricant and apply it yourself.
However, if your garage door makes a banging or grinding sound, then the issue is much more serious. It may mean that certain parts are getting worn out and require replacing. You should call for a garage door repair specialists to deal with the issue in such a case.
Opening or Closing Issues
Problems with doors not closing or opening properly are probably the most common. As such, if your garage door won’t close all the way or get stuck in the middle, it’s time to contact a professional garage door repair service.
However, such problems usually don’t mean just one thing. For instance, a garage door that closes and opens unevenly can mean that there’s damage in the movement mechanism or that dirt and debris affect it.
Sometimes, the case may indicate that your photo-eye is malfunctioning. It’s a common problem, especially among the newer garage door types.
A photo-eye is a safety feature that prevents a door from shutting down when something or someone is under it. Usually, its malfunction is caused by dirt, meaning all you need to do is clean the camera.
If you’ve already done that, though, and your garage door still encounters problems when opening and closing, you should contact a professional.
Bent or Broken Panels
There are many ways to break or bend your garage door panels. However, it doesn’t matter whether your car mysteriously hit the door or that the weather caused the damage. What counts is how significant the problem is.
If your door won’t open or close, it’s rather obvious that you should replace it. But what if they still work despite damages? Does it mean you should ignore the issue? Unfortunately, the answer is no, although many homeowners probably think that way.
Even if your garage door works more or less properly, you shouldn’t leave it bent. Sure, maybe you won’t need to buy a set of new garage doors, but you should at least let a professional take a look.
Such door problems can lead to more severe damages. Not to mention how awful they look, decreasing your home design and value.
Faulty Garage Door Opener
Sometimes, if your garage door won’t open or close, the fault may not lie with the door itself. In many cases, such problems can be caused by a faulty garage door opener. And while sometimes all it takes to make it work again is a new set of batteries in the remote, the issue might be more serious.
If you’ve replaced the batteries and your garage door still doesn’t want to open and close, it means you should call for a garage door repair. A faulty opener can lead to security and safety problems, and the last thing you want is burglars entering your home at night or your door falling onto your head.
When to Repair or Replace Your Garage Door?
Okay, you know about the common garage door problems you shouldn’t ignore. The only remaining question is – should you repair or replace your faulty garage door? After all, it’s quite an important decision to make, especially for your budget.
And as with almost everything, the answer is – it depends. Not all problems require getting a new garage door. For instance, issues like broken door openers can be dealt with quickly.
However, if you experience garage door problems regularly, replacing could be your only option. In fact, sometimes, getting a new set of garage doors is the best way to save money in the long run!
Keep in mind that constant repairs will add more costs, whereas a new top-quality garage door should serve you for a long time. That is, of course, if you remember about proper maintenance. The choice is yours to make.
The Takeaway
As you can see, even with regular maintenance, you may experience some common garage door problems. And while some are more significant than others, it doesn’t mean you should ignore them.
These minor issues often lead to severe damage, forcing you to call for constant and costly repairs. What’s more, the case might be that the only way to save money, in the long run, is to replace your old garage door!
Hopefully, thanks to our guide, you’ll be able to make the right call when dealing with your garage door problems. Make sure you don’t underestimate them and that you always call for a reliable garage door service.
With the knowledge we’ve armed you and the right maintenance routine, we do not doubt that you won’t let your garage door problems mess with your home security and living comfort.
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