Your garage door is probably something you never think about until it goes wrong. But many of us ask a lot of them each day. If you’ve got a couple of cars, your garage door is probably opening and closing at least four times a day. In a single year, that’s nearly 1,500 times!
No wonder after a while they start to protest and go wrong. But when they do, how can you know whether it’s time to repair it or replace it altogether? Read on to find out.
How Old Is Your Garage Door?
A garage door could last as long as 30 years. But as it gets up in years, it may show signs that it’s on its last legs. This could include the following:
- Damage – whether from storms, kids’ biking accidents, or knocks from the car, your garage door may have dents and scratches that can’t be fixed.
- Design – what looked great in the early nineties may now look seriously passé.
- Wear and tear – over time, the elements will take their toll on your garage door, causing it to warp and the paint to crack.
In 1993, new legislation came into force that required garage door manufacturers to fit entrapment protection equipment to automatic doors. So if your garage door was manufactured before 1993 or will soon turn 30, it’s a good idea to start shopping around for a replacement rather than spending money on repairs.
How Serious Is the Damage?
If you still like your garage door and its overall condition is good, your decision will come down to how serious the problem is. For example, replacing a broken spring is relatively inexpensive and will restore your garage door to full working order.
But what if the garage door tracks are broken or so bent out of shape that they can’t be straightened? In that case, replacing the garage door may be more cost-effective than replacing the entire door closer. But it’s good to talk to a garage door repair service for an honest appraisal before making a final decision.
How Safe Is It?
Garage doors can be a serious safety hazard when they break down. They’re very heavy and can inflict severe injuries if they come off their tracks. In addition, if your garage door doesn’t close, you’re also exposing your home to thieves.
This highlights the importance of getting any problems with your garage door assessed as quickly as possible. A reputable local garage door repair company should be able to attend the same day and make the door safe and secure again.
Good maintenance can help to keep these issues to a minimum. A local garage door installation and repair company may offer an affordable maintenance program that will keep costly repairs to a minimum.
Repair or Replace? Ask Doorman Service Co, Inc
At Doorman Service Co, Inc, we live and breathe garage doors. We’ve seen them all, from antique models to the latest cutting-edge designs. As a result, we can advise you whether your garage door is worth repairing or if it’s time for a new model.
Call us today at (253) 859-2318 or reach out online, and we’ll be in touch soon.