Have you ever said, “My garage door won’t open”? Or “My garage door partially opens then stops.”
Garage door problems, from misalignment to track problems, can be annoying daily life problems and add up quickly if they keep happening. If you’ve spent more money replacing parts and fixing your garage door than what you paid for it, then it might be time to replace your garage door.
With proper maintenance, your garage doors can last between 15-30 years. This is dependent on several factors including climate, maintenance, and materials. However, this is no guarantee. Let’s explore the top 3 garage door issues that cause people to buy a replacement door.
1. Safety Issues
Garages can be a dangerous place as it is, you don’t need to worry about your garage door harming you or your family. There are several safety garage door problems that could be a sign it’s time to get a new garage door.
Door Springs Have Broken Down
It’s usually obvious when the springs on your garage door start to go. Overhead doors have two types of springs: extension springs, which are found on each side of the garage door, and torsion springs, which are found in the center at the top of the door header.
The overhead door springs are under immense pressure and can break down under constant use. Signs your springs are wearing out include:
Noisy Operation: Grinding or popping sounds can indicate that the springs are wearing out.
Uneven Movements: A rough or uneven opening or closing motion suggests uneven tension or spring failure.
Slow Lifting or Fast Lowering: Springs losing their strength may cause the door to lift sluggishly or close faster than usual, posing a safety risk.
Complete Breakdown: When a spring breaks entirely, your garage door won’t work. If it happens while the door is open, the door can crash down with a potentially dangerous force.
Extension springs typically have a lifespan of 10,000 cycles, which is roughly equal to 5 years. Depending on their rating, garage door torsion springs can last up to 30,000 cycles, or about 10 years.
However, regardless of the spring’s age, it’s crucial to contact professionals if you see any issues such as rust, deformation, bends, or other signs of wear and tear.
Snapped or Damaged Cables
Garage door cables are critical components that work with the springs to operate the door. Over time, these cables can experience wear and tear, leading to fraying and potential breakage.
To prevent this, it’s important to inspect the cables regularly during routine maintenance for any signs of damage. Broken or frayed cables pose a safety hazard, as they can cause the door to become inoperable and potentially damage surrounding structures. Immediately replacing damaged cables is recommended to avoid unexpected failures.
Doors Off-Track
An overhead door off its tracks is simple to diagnose since you’ll see the door is crooked or won’t work. This usually happens due to an impact, like if you accidentally drive into the garage door or it’s hit with a heavy object. However, garage door track problems can also happen if you don’t regularly maintain your door.
Your garage door relies on many parts that work together to balance it and keep it moving smoothly through the tracks. Factors like accumulated debris (gunk), bent tracks, broken rollers, rust, and other issues can disrupt this balance. If left unaddressed, these problems can easily cause the door to come off its track.
Extensive Rust
Rust is an issue that impacts various aspects of our lives, and garage doors are no exception. The presence of heavy rust on the door frame, panels, or other components compromises the structural integrity of the entire door system.
This corrosion weakens the materials, leading to increased vulnerability to damage, potential cracks, and even collapse in extreme cases. To help prevent these issues, regularly inspect your garage doors for signs of rust and immediately fix any garage door issues you find.
Multiple Failing Components
When your garage door components keep failing and you’re in a constant cycle of repairs, it can get expensive quickly. Plus if you’re not DIY-friendly, calling a garage door repair tech will cost you even more money and frustration.
It’s wise to keep a record of what repairs you make in a year to see how much you’re spending and compare it to the cost of a new door. If you get stuck in this cycle and are spending almost as much on repairs as a new door, then it could be more cost-effective to buy a new one.
2. Structural Damage
While minor paint chips or dings are irritating, they don’t necessitate replacing your garage door. But there are a few cosmetic damages that can cause you to replace your garage door.
Severe Panel Damage
As we mentioned above, we’re not talking about small chips, minor dings, or even garage door refacing. We’re referring to large dents, cracks, or large areas of damage to the door panels that cannot be repaired aesthetically or compromise the door’s structural integrity. These can be caused by different scenarios, like backing into your garage doors or storm damage.
These damages not only affect your door’s appearance but they can impact its functionality. Bent or cracked panels can interfere with the door’s moving parts, leading to inconsistent opening and closing.
Damage can also cause a security risk. If your garage door can’t properly close, it leaves your home susceptible to intrusions from humans or wild animals. On the other hand, if the door doesn’t open, it can pose a serious safety hazard, particularly in the event of a fire or emergency requiring immediate evacuation.
3. Energy Efficiency
A garage door might not be the first thing you think of when you’re trying to be energy efficient. But they’re more important than you think.
Energy Bills are Increasing
If you’re spending the money to heat your garage then you want to keep as much heat in as possible. Having an older garage door can impact your heating costs.
Older garage door models can lack proper insulation, allowing heat to escape and driving up your energy bill. Modern garage doors are designed with better materials and insulation to provide a barrier against temperature changes.
Over time, the seals around your old garage door can also deteriorate or become incompatible with current weatherproofing options on the market. This allows cold air to infiltrate your garage as well as your home.
By upgrading to a well-insulated modern garage door, you can reduce heat loss, improve energy efficiency, and create a more comfortable and cost-effective garage space.
