Automatic garage doors are convenient, but their mechanical parts and exposure to the elements make them prone to damage and other problems. While minor issues like paint chips, small dents or cracked panels are more cost effective to repair, sometimes it’s better to replace your garage door. Here are four times when you should consider getting a new garage door instead of fixing up your old one.
It’s More than 20 Years Old
While your life may have just begun in your twenties, the same isn’t true for your garage door. Most garage doors (specifically the opener) last between 15 and 30 years. If yours is over two decades old and damaged or malfunctioning, it’s time to think about replacing it. An aging door won’t last long enough to make a repair worth the time and money. Not only that, but if your garage door is more than 20 years old, odds are that there are a large number of new sensors, safety features, and styles that are now available that weren’t when you first had your garage door installed. Upgrading, therefore, will get you a much better deal in these situations than attempting repair could ever do.
The Safety Sensor Stops Working
Automatic garage doors are required by law to have a safety sensor. This sensor causes the door to go back up when something crosses its path. You should test this feature regularly with a wooden block and immediately replace your garage door if it stops functioning. Keeping your old garage door isn’t worth the lives of your children and pets, and even small or frail adults can be gravely injured by a garage door. While people and animals are more likely to get out of the way in time, the most common victims are cars, bikes, toys, and tools that can fall in the path of the garage door.
It’s Been Damaged Structurally
Has grandma backed her car into the garage door again? Small dents are easy to pop out, but severe damage usually necessitates a replacement because ironing out a car-sized crater costs nearly as much as a new door. Not only that, but the process of making major dents in the door and hammering it out again can weaken the structure of the door itself, depending on what material is used. The results will also never look as good as new, so take the sedan to the shop and that dented garage door to the dumpster.
The Springs Have Worn Out
The heavy-duty springs that pull your garage door open and closed are often the first part of the door to wear out. You might think that replacing just the springs is the obvious solution, but going that route can land you in the hospital. These springs are loaded with enough tension to move a 400-pound door, which makes them incredibly dangerous, so replace the whole door if its springs have sprung.
Are you ready to give your old garage door the boot, or have you decided to go ahead and repair your old one? It’s important to make sure your garage door is properly installed to prevent injuries and further damage, so choose a professional garage door service like Plano Overhead Garage Door to do the job.
