4 Common Signs Residential Garage Doors Are In Need Of Replacement

Garage doors are an essential yet underrated component of a home. Without them, you won’t be able to park your vehicles indoors securely. No matter the size of your house or property, having fully functioning garage doors can make a difference in ensuring the safety of your residential garage. Apart from the extra layer of security, nice-looking garage doors also contribute to the overall aesthetic value of your property. 

As such, knowing how to spot signs that your garage doors need replacement is a massive advantage for you as a homeowner. You’ll be able to deal with the problems quickly and prevent them from getting worse. It’ll also keep you from spending more resources repairing further damages that a broken garage door may cause. 

If you don’t know what to look for, here are five of the most common signs that your garage doors require replacement: 

1. Difficulty Opening Or Closing The Garage Door

Failure to open and close properly is an immediate sign that your garage door is broken. The door should ideally respond smoothly and consistently to your open or close command in a matter of seconds. Do you notice any delay or difficulty when you’re trying to move the door up or down? Is the movement not as consistent and as fast as it used to be?

These are some common signs that, when neglected, may lead to something more serious, such as eventually discovering that the door just stopped working altogether. If and when you decide to replace your garage doors, you may want to look into safer and more durable options such as electrically operated roller doors. Such entries are made from insulated aluminum laths, thus making it easier and safer to lift and roll the doors vertically.

2. Garage Doors Are Making Too Much Noise 

Garage doors aren’t supposed to make loud and annoying sounds at any given time. There could be a lot of possible reasons behind the noise, including the following: 

• Old rollers and doors
• Misalignment 
• Problems with the garage door opener 
• Wear and tear on the rollers, mainly if made of steel 
• Loose bolts and nuts 
• Hinges and rollers’ need for lubrication 

While some of these causes may be addressed by repairing the problem, there are instances that might require the complete replacement of your garage doors. Old doors, for example, may be better off removed and replaced rather than repaired. Keep in mind that even when you’re able to solve the issue, it’s most probably a temporary solution, and sooner than later, you’ll have to deal with the same problem again.

3. The Garage Door Is Sagging 

A sagging garage door is another issue that many people tend to ignore, but it’s actually a common sign that you need a garage door repair or replacement. It can indicate more significant problems with components such as the tracks, rollers, and tension springs of the door. If left unchecked and repaired, the door can be a safety hazard for your entire household. 

Sagging is often a problem in wooden garage doors, primarily when not correctly and regularly maintained. The most common causes of sagging doors are rotting, deterioration, and decomposition. When not remedied immediately, you may end up having to park your vehicles outside or having a doorless garage because the doors aren’t closing efficiently. When this happens, you might attract thieves and burglars into your property. 

A professional’s opinion may be more recommended to inspect your sagging doors. They’ll be able to tell if there’s still something they can do to repair the damaged components, such as the tracks, rollers, or springs of the garage door. If there’s nothing left to do but replace the doors altogether, don’t hesitate to do so because that could be the best solution to your sagging door problem.

4. Garage Door Has Broken Or Chipped Areas 

Being exposed to various external elements makes garage doors prone to damages over time. They may not directly bear the brunt of falling objects, hail, snow, or rain, but your garage may get plenty of exposure to kids or pets playing in the driveway. Hence, it’s not surprising that the doors are more prone to damage or chipping.  

It’s essential to inspect the garage door regularly to see if it has any broken or chipped areas. Such damages can compromise the sturdiness and integrity of the garage door, so it’s crucial to provide repairs or a replacement accordingly when you see these issues. Check the door’s components such as the panels, edges, and bottom rubber lining for any damages regularly.  

A broken garage door is often no longer salvageable and would require immediate replacement, especially if the damage is too extensive to repair. Chipping may still be repaired in some instances, but still, it’s better not to take your chances and ask an expert to look into it. 

Final Words Of Advice 

Keeping your garage door in its best condition is vital if you want to keep your home safe from security and environmental issues. It goes without saying that recognizing the common signs that tell it needs replacement is something you should include in your priorities as a homeowner.  

If you’ve identified several signs such as noisy, broken, chipped, and sagging garage doors, it’s best to look more closely into the problem and have the doors replaced as immediately as possible. Likewise, if the doors are beginning to have an opening or closing issues, that’s also another sign to watch out for. Reach out to a skilled garage door contractor to help you with the problem so you can rest assured, knowing that your vehicles, property, and family are always safe and secure.