Your Ultimate Guide To Garage Door Damage and Repair

We often forget about our garage doors in the long list of what feels like constant, home-related repairs and remodels. Homeowners have become accustomed to the convenience and efficiency of automatic garage doors. So much so, in fact, that we go about our business without taking much notice of them until something goes wrong or someone is severely injured. Here is a comprehensive guide to garage door damage and repair to help ensure your family's safety. 

Common Garage Door Problems and Repairs

If your garage door isn’t operating the way it should be, there are a few methods for troubleshooting common problems you may face and simple repair solutions you can try: 

1. Frozen or unresponsive garage doors can be troubleshot in a few ways, including:

• Checking the batteries in your remote
• Checking if your remote is programmed correctly
• Making sure the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped 
• Examining the wiring and ensuring all wires are intact and connected properly

2. If your garage door doesn’t close all the way, there are a few things that could be the cause:

• The track may be overused and in poor condition
• Check if your remote control works roughly 6 to 8 feet away. If it doesn’t work you may need a new controller battery.
• If you are having problems with your garage door opener, you may need to ensure that it is properly secured to the wall, connected correctly, the screws are all firmly tightened, and there are no loose wires. 
• If your garage door isn’t opening properly, it may also indicate an issue with the circuit breaker. 

3. If your garage door opens after it closes your sensors may be blocked or damaged. The garage door not staying closed may also be due to broken or maladjusted springs, damage to your tracks, or the hinges on either side of the door being in poor condition. There is also an adjustment on the opener that can affect this behavior. 

4. If your garage door is not opening evenly, it could signify that one side is higher/ lower than the other. This can easily be determined by placing a level on top of the track and adjusting it until you get a straight line. 

When is Garage Door Damage From Water Too Bad for Repair?

Strong weather conditions, like heavy rains or flooding, often lead to water damage on garage doors, but when is the damage too severe to repair? Repairing is usually the preferable and more cost-effective alternative to replacing your garage door. Still, there are a few instances where the garage door damage may be too far gone, and a replacement garage door will be necessary. Some of these include: 

• Mold:  A moldy garage door can be more than just a health hazard. If mold has started to grow on your wooden garage door, it could potentially spread to other areas of your home, causing serious damage.
• If there are problems opening/ closing the garage door: If you find that your garage door is stuck and will not open or close after recent water damage, it could be due to an electrical fault. If your garage door is unable to close it exposes its contents to potential thieves and if it’s unable to open it creates a potential fire hazard. Either way, it should be sorted out as soon as possible. 
• If electrical components are damaged: If any electrical components of your garage door have suffered water damage, replacement should be considered as soon as possible. Whether this damage is to the electric garage door opener, the sensors, or the lights, replacing the damaged component is crucial to the functionality of your garage door. 
• If the door is too old (usually more than 15 years): If your garage door is older than 15 years, it may be time to cut your losses and replace it. Garage doors made of wood may be damaged or rotten and metal doors may be rusty. New doors are made to be more durable and moisture resistant, often safer, and they can save homeowners on energy costs.

Tell-Tale Signs That Your Garage Door Motor Needs To Be Repaired

If your garage door has been working properly and hasn’t had previous motor-related issues with opening and closing, it is easy to become frustrated. Luckily, there are a few tell-tale signs that could indicate problems with your garage door motor: 

• Slow garage doors could indicate a need to seek professional repairs for a number of reasons. Common causes for slow garage doors are old age, wear and tear over time, insufficient lubrication, or it could be as simple as the way your garage door was programmed to open. 
• If your garage door jerks while it is opening or closing, but there are no external contributing factors (like inclement weather), it could be a reason for concern. Unnecessary and recurring shaking or shuddering can easily result in your rollers going off the track or the hinges and screws of your garage door loosening. 
• Strange noises from your motor, especially if they occur suddenly and frequently, could be a sign of problems with either the motor itself or other parts of your garage door. While squeaks can usually easily be remedied by lubricating the tracks regularly, strange noises could indicate a problem that will only escalate if left unattended.

If your garage door has gone off its track, it may be due to an external force (like a car knocking it), a broken spring, or a snapped garage door cable. Regardless of the cause, ignoring the problem could result in serious injuries.