If you have a fairly busy life, there’s a good chance you use your garage door every single day. They’re so standard on homes that we forget they’re more than just a way in and out of the house.
Most homeowners forget that garage doors are large machines with lots of moving parts, and they are dependent on electricity and mechanics to operate properly. They’re usually pretty reliable, so we aren’t always sure what to do when they break. It can be quite frustrating to find a solution.
We usually put off garage door repairs as long as the door still opens and shuts. However, letting a seemingly minor garage door issue go can lead to costly repairs or replacements later on. So pay attention to your garage door problems for the preservation of your family and your wallet.
More importantly, though, sometimes major garage door issues can cause damage or harm to your home or loved ones if left unattended.
Here are a few reasons why ignoring nagging problems with your garage door is not a good idea.
Safety
Leaving a bent or broken garage door in operation is not ideal for the safety of yourself and your family.
Think of a garage door like the human body. It’s resilient and you can push it really far, but when it snaps, it’s game over. And sometimes, the consequences are irreversible. Routine garage door maintenance must be paramount.
Slamming Hazard
Ignoring things like broken garage door springs and faulty sensors can allow the door to slam shut or continue to close, even if there is a pet or a person in the way. Garage doors are massive contraptions made from heavy chunks of metal, wood, or glass. They can be very dangerous.
Theft and Personal Security
You can also compromise the safety of yourself, your family, and your home if the garage door has a habit of opening unexpectedly. If it’s happened once or twice and you think it’s a fluke, check again. There’s usually a reason it’s not functioning properly, and it must be addressed.
A gaping garage door, while you’re gone at work or sleeping at night, is not desirable. It leaves you exposed to a number of safety problems. You can have exposure to undesirable weather like cold air or rain. You can risk the security of your car, tools, bikes, or other belongings you store in the garage. You can even accidentally let unwanted visitors, human or animal, into your home.
Cost
The possibilities are endless with this one. If you’ve ever seen a Rube Goldberg machine, you know that when one part doesn’t work, the whole function of the machine is off.
Nip it in the Bud
Again, like the human body, letting a wound fester can never bring healing. The longer you ignore the repair, the worse it will be.
For example, bent or broken panels can put pressure on other parts of the garage door and cause issues in other areas that weren’t previously affected, like the torsion springs. This can lead to more headaches, more repairs, and more money spent by you.
Obviously, there are many more things that can go wrong with your garage door, but you get the idea.
If you let things go into disrepair for long enough, you may need to purchase and install a whole new garage door.
Save More by Hiring a Professional
Make sure you search around your surrounding areas for a reputable company, like Overhead Door Company of Puget Sound. After being in business for 100 years, they know a thing or two about customer service and garage door installation.
If it’s time to replace your garage door, you need to contact a quality and affordable service provider for your new door.
Value
Lost Bargaining Edge
If you ever plan on selling your home, the new owners will expect to be able to use their garage with ease. Garage doors are one of the most basic home accessories, and it’s generally expected that they will work when someone moves in after you.
Leaving a dead or faulty garage door opener for the new owners might not be a battle worth picking.
Moreover, having a dented or damaged garage door might deter people from looking at your home. It might also give potential buyers a bargaining chip to lower your asking price.
Be Neighborly
You should also think about the value of the other homes in your neighborhood. You may not realize it, but your wonky, lopsided, or dented garage door doesn’t exactly let the rest of the neighborhood shine.
Don’t get stuck being known as the messy person on the block.
Final Thoughts
Obviously, there is a wide range of issues that can occur with your garage door. Some of the more minor problems can be tackled on your own with some brute strength and a screwdriver. Other problems, however, may need more attention.
Fixing your garage door, or finding someone else to fix it, might seem annoying or frustrating. However, the garage door likely gets used every day, and ignoring the problem has the potential to cause you some serious health and financial consequences.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Make the necessary repairs or call a professional so you can rest assured that you and your family are safe.
