Critical information on garage door repair vs. replacement

Most doors open and close at least twice a day. More than 5 to 10 years that are thousands of times up and down. Tracks can get out of line. The door will be dented or damaged. The springs holding the door can break. The electric opener may start to malfunction or stop working. Then you should look at garage door repair versus replacement.

In some locations, your garage door replacement may require a permit from your city or county. This is because improper installation can cause serious injury. Some locations may require a state licensed professional. Check your building department at your location to be sure.

There are two main types, solid one-piece doors and those with four or five sections. Both types can be insulated. Check your door to see if it has the back open exposed to the garage. If it does, then it is not isolated.

Another difference includes having glass windows at the top of the panel or next to the top panel if you have a multi-section type. Both types can have vents on both sides of the bottom panel near the floor. In general, the sectioned type is easier to repair. Remove the damaged section and replace it.

One problem with sectioned types and the replacement of one or more sections is finding an exact duplicate. If your model is out of date or no longer in production, you may need to purchase a completely new appliance.

If your tracking is offline, you may be able to tighten the bolts that hold it down. If it was professionally installed, this could solve any problems. If the track is still offline, there may be dents or metal bent somewhere along the track. If the track is obviously bent, it needs to be replaced to ensure smooth and safe operation.

The mechanism that opens and closes the door sometimes needs adjustment. Adjustments to the opening mechanism may be all that is required for the car portal to open and close properly. You should consult the owner’s manual. Sometimes you can download the manual from the manufacturer’s website. If an adjustment doesn’t work, you may need to replace the mechanism. Replacement is not trivial. You may need to hire a trained professional who has the proper knowledge and tools to install.

If the springs are worn or broken, this can misalign the entire portal. Single panel portals have two heavy springs on each side. Sectioned portals have a spring wound around a rod or pipe at the top. They can be dangerous and difficult to replace. Consider contacting a professional.

Let’s consider the options for garage door repair versus replacement. For replacement, there are local companies that will fix the price of the installation with the purchase. If not, you need to assess what you are currently dealing with. If you only have a problem or two, let’s say a panel is dented and the track is loose, repair is an easy path to take. If the number of problems exceeds, say, three, as a general rule of thumb, replacement is a better option. Remember that these are powerful and heavy devices. Talking to a professional before making a decision is a prudent path.