Is your garage door starting to show some wear and tear? Is it an older model, damaged with rust and dents or just not working as smoothly or quietly as it once did?

Will some maintenance better the situation or is it time to completely replace your garage door? If you’re experiencing garage door issues, you may be wondering what’s the best course of action to ensure your garage is secured long-term with a door in good working order.

After all, you won’t want to spend money on a new door when a few repairs could get your existing door working as good as new. Conversely, you won’t want to repair an old or damaged door that is beyond its best days.

The fact is, when you notice an issue with your garage door, it’s best to address it immediately. Always get professional advice, as garage door repairs and replacement are not generally DIY tasks.

Here are some common scenarios and potential solutions for repair or replacement.

Garage Door Repairs

Not all garage door issues are a sign that you need a replacement. If your garage door was working fine one day and then doesn’t work the next, there may be an easy fix.

You can check the batteries in the remote control, check the power source to the motor and carry out a visual inspection, before calling a garage door technician for assistance.

Consider garage door repairs in these circumstances:

Your door has suddenly stopped working. If the batteries are not the culprit, a technician will be able to diagnose and fix the problem. Likely causes could be a burned-out motor, snapped belt or chain or broken spring, which can be replaced. The issue could also be as simple as something jamming the door mechanism that needs to be removed.

Your garage door is crooked or sagging. When your garage door doesn’t close evenly (for example one side touches down fully, but the other doesn’t) the springs on one side could be affected. The door’s torsion springs do most of the heavy lifting during operation and should be repaired to prevent damage to other components and stress on the motor. This problem can be fixed by replacing the springs and rehanging the door.

Your door feels heavy when operating manually. If you open and close your garage door manually and the door begins to feel much heavier, this weight can indicate a problem with the springs. Replacing the springs will fix the problem.

Your door is noisy or shakes when moving. Depending on the extent of the problem this could be a simple repair job or mean a full door replacement. Insufficient lubrication is the most common cause of a noisy door and is solved by oiling all moving parts including hinges, chains and rollers (but not tracks). However, if your door has broken hinges, broken springs, worn-out bearings or an uneven distribution of tension it may need to be replaced.

You have damage to a single panel of a sectional door. Depending on the construction of the door (ie light composite panelling) you may have a damaged panel from a small car accident or weather event. If the damage is to a single panel, it is likely the door can be repaired.

You regularly find debris in your garage. If you frequently find water, leaves, or other debris in your garage, even when you’ve left the door closed, the weather strip along the bottom of the door could have deteriorated. This can be replaced to keep leaves out.

Your garage door does not open when it senses an obstruction. Your garage door opener has two safety sensors that prevent the door from closing on a person or object. One sensor sends an infrared beam and the other receives the beam. If an object or person is in the way of the beam, the closing door reverses direction. If a safety sensor stops working, the remote control won’t operate, and the motor unit lights blink when you press the remote. If the safety sensors have failed, they can be replaced to ensure the auto-reverse system works correctly.

Expert Tip to Reduce Repairs

A professional service every 12 months can help keep your garage door in working order and reduce the likelihood of any costly repairs or the need for early replacement.

If your garage door needs repairing, it’s best to get it done as soon as possible. Small issues left unattended can cause major issues over time impacting the door, its mechanical systems and the door frame.

Rechnicians fixing a broken garage door

Garage Door Replacement

Unfortunately, not every problem can be solved with a repair. If you encounter the following, it’s probably time to invest in a new garage door.

Your garage door keeps breaking down. It may not be the same issue each time, but just when you have one issue fixed something else occurs to prevent the door from working properly.  The lifespan of a garage door can vary between 10 and 30 years depending on its construction and maintenance and your everyday use patterns. Your garage door technician will advise if your door is too worn and needs replacement.

Your door is missing essential safety features. If you’ve got a very old garage door, it’s likely to be missing modern safety features such as an auto-reverse system and safety sensors. You may need to upgrade your door to ensure safety compliance, especially if you have children or pets.

You have extensive damage to the door. If there has been an accident that caused extensive damage to your garage door then a replacement is the most cost-effective solution. All elements of the door and frame will need to be checked to ensure safety.

You have a damaged roller door. Damaged roller doors (versus a sectional door) are replaced not repaired. A roller door is constructed of colorbond sheets to form one single piece called a curtain. When the curtain is bent or damaged it generally cannot be repaired or put back into shape.

You have been delaying servicing and repairs for a long time. If your door has had no maintenance, has been damaged for a while, and you’ve been putting off repairs, it’s likely you may need to replace the door. Often what may seem like cosmetic damage can substantially impact the door’s frame and mechanical systems. If this wear and tear have persisted for some time, it may have damaged the door mechanisms to the extent that a total replacement is the best option.

Other Reasons for a New Garage Door

Your garage door doesn’t have to be damaged to want to replace it.  You may be remodelling your home or looking to change the aesthetics or curb appeal of your property.

Modern garage doors can also include features such as insulation and be built from a variety of materials with customisation options.

No matter the style of your home, you will be able to find an attractive garage door option to suit.

Get Professional Garage Door Repairs or Replacement

Rely on Pinnacle Garage doors for your garage door repair or replacement. We are committed to the highest standards of workmanship and customer service, and only sell leading garage door brands and parts.

When you need to get your garage door fixed, we can assist with servicing and repairs.

Need advice on whether to repair or replace your garage door. Contact us today to arrange an inspection or to get a quote.