Your garage door is an important part of your Louisville, KY home. Designed to protect against the elements as well as provide security from intruders, the integrity of your garage doors is important. Routine garage door maintenance can help ensure that your door is moving on its tracks safely and is free of damage. There may be cosmetic issues that occur over time because of normal wear and tear. If you have kids, you know that they can cause dents and scratches on your garage door as they play nearby. Let’s look at some of the ways you can repair minor damage as well as some bigger tasks that you need to leave to the professionals.
Fixing Garage Door Damage
The type of repairs that can be completed on a garage door will depend on the type of door that you have. For example, wood doors require different repair materials than a metal door does. The process can vary based on your garage door type as well.
Repairing Dents in a Metal Garage Door
It’s common for a garage door to become dented if something hits it or presses into its surface. The metal can be heated to make it more flexible. Once heated, a plunger designed for dent repair can help pull the dent out similarly to how a vehicle would be fixed. Very small dents can sometimes be repaired by applying heat followed by cold air. The fast expansion and contraction process can pop the dent out.
Repairing a Wood Garage Door
Once the damaged area has been cleaned, wood filler material can be applied to fill in the dent or scratch. The key is smoothing the product carefully to promote a seamless surface. Once the material has completely cured, it can be sanded to blend the product into the rest of the door. The door will likely have to be repainted to blend the repaired area into the rest of the surrounding areas.
Repairing an Aluminum Garage Door
While aluminum is a lightweight material that is often used in the construction of garage doors, it can easily become dented or scratched. The damaged area should be thoroughly cleaned and sanded to create a rough surface. Auto body filler is a commonly used material to repair aluminum garage doors. It works somewhat like putty works for a wood door. There isn’t going to be any sanding involved, so the repair must be made carefully. Once the product has been cured, the garage door can be repainted.
Scheduling Service With a Professional
An occasional small scratch or dent is something that some homeowners may be able to repair themselves. However, professional garage door repair has its benefits. You’ll get a seamless result every time, enhancing the beauty of your garage door and home. This can also protect your garage door’s integrity, allowing your garage door to stay in good condition for many years to come.
Knowledge and Experience
Having repaired many garage doors over the years, our team has the knowledge to quickly repair your garage door with high-quality results. We have the tools and products necessary to get the job done right.
Safety Concerns
Depending on what kind repairs your garage door needs, there may be safety concerns to consider. Our team can safely work on your garage door for you so that you don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way. Garage door repair can be especially dangerous if you need to make something like a spring replacement.
Warranty Coverage
If you repair your own garage door, there’s not any kind of warranty coverage included in that process. Professionals generally offer some degree of warranty coverage to giver you peace of mind that your door repair can be expected to last for many years. If you aren’t happy with the results, you can utilize this coverage.
Preventing Garage Door Damage
While accidents happen, there are ways that you can minimize the amount of damage that your garage door experiences. For example, have children play a safe distance away from the garage door when it is closed. You should also keep large items like your garbage cans away from your garage door. If the wind is available to blow a heavy item into the surface of your door, this can create a scratch or dent, too.
Be alert when you are pulling your vehicle into or out of your garage. If you misjudge the amount of clearance you have or don’t realize that the door is in the way, this can cause damage to both your garage door and your vehicle. Garage door bumpers are a nice way to protect your door. You can also use different guide tools to help you park your vehicle without accidentally encountering your door.
Common Garage Door Repair Needs
In addition to experiencing cosmetic garage door issues, there are other common repairs that we see at Lewis Door Service.
Broken Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are designed to counterbalance the weight of your garage door so that it can open and close. Some garage doors have springs that are installed horizontally above the door. Others have springs that are parallel to the door’s tracks. Springs see a lot of wear and tear each time that your door opens and closes. The expected lifespan of a garage door spring is 10,000 to 20,000 cycles. Several things can impact the longevity of your springs, like weather conditions and routine maintenance.
Broken or Misaligned Sensors
If your garage door isn’t opening or closing on command, the door itself may not be to blame. Check to see if the sensors that are installed on each side of your door are aligned with one another. This is an important safety feature that will prevent your door from closing if anything is in the way. Unfortunately, simply bumping into one of the sensors can cause it to lose connection with the other side. This will signal to your door that it should not move.
Roller or Track Issues
It’s common for garage door tracks or rollers to become misaligned, preventing your door from moving freely. Our team can realign your doors, so they move properly again. Pay attention to any abnormal sounds, such as grinding, squeaking, or shaking sounds. These signs can indicate that you’re experiencing a problem with your rollers or tracks. Repairs may be possible, but extensive damage may require these parts to be replaced in order to restore the door’s functionality.
If you would like to learn more about garage door repairs and maintenance, reach out to the team here at Lewis Door Service. We can answer any questions that you have as well as assess the damage that you would like us to fix. We also offer 24/7 repair for emergency garage door issues, install new doors, provide routine maintenance, and provide commercial assistance.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Lewis Door Service.
