A garage door is a significant investment for your home, so you will want it to last as long as possible. However, with time and weather, inevitable damage occurs that can leave you wondering if now is really the right time to replace your garage door. The amount of use your garage door receives determines how often this should happen.
Today, we will discuss the circumstances under which you may want to consider replacing your current garage door with a new garage door.
How Long Do Garage Doors Last?
A general rule of thumb suggests every 15 years for light-duty residential garage doors and every 7-10 years for the medium to heavy-duty residential garage doors.
Of course, this is just a general timeline. The deterioration of your garage door depends on other factors too, like your weather, amount of use, quality of materials, unpredictable damages, etc.
If you think you need a garage door replacement, Puget Sound is home to Overhead Door Company. Contact them today for a repair estimate, replacement estimate, garage door installation or to inquire about any of the other garage door repair services they offer. Their talented and knowledgeable team offers preventative maintenance, same-day service, new garage doors, garage door repair, and an overall quality garage door experience by displaying top-notch customer service to customers located in the Puget Sound area and the greater Puyallup, WA area.
When Is it Time for a New Garage Door?
How can you tell when it’s time to replace your garage door? While there are many telltale signs that show wear and tear, such as dents or rust spots, these do not necessarily mean that immediate replacement is necessary. Here are some scenarios when it may be time for a garage door replacement.
The Most Obvious Sign: The Door is No Longer Functional
If your garage door doesn’t open or close, you might need to replace it. Typically, a service technician will handle this process in order to avoid any further damage to the door and the internal mechanisms.
However, if you are able to lift up on the garage door from outside of the vehicle when closed, but not from inside while sitting in the driver’s seat, then there is something obstructing its movement that should be worked around quickly or you risk damaging both your car and garage door. In this case, immediately contact a professional repair company to fix the issue before anything worse happens.
Furthermore, if it does not open when you press the button in the garage, then this is an indication that, at the very least, something is wrong with your garage door opener and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Warped Garage Door Tracks
If you see a gap between the bottom of the garage door and the ground, then this is a sign that your tracks are warped. As time passes, your garage door wears down from use and weather elements. Warping of the tracks limits their ability to properly guide and support the movement of the garage door. This will need to be addressed by a professional as soon as possible or else it may put too much stress on your garage door causing damage to its internal components.
Physical Damage
Other obvious signs include visible damage caused by physical force such as dents, cracks or holes in the wood paneling, torn rubber seals around entryways, broken sections or sections that don’t line up correctly, and a garage door that is bent. This damage can be caused by vandalism, a natural disaster, or just an accident. In any of these cases, your garage door will need to be repaired immediately to avoid further damage and danger if it is still in use.
How Can I Save My Garage Door?
There are steps you can take before replacing your garage door in order to protect the lifespan of your current one:
- Remove snow, dirt, and debris from tracks and panels regularly
- clean tracks regularly by wiping them down with a damp, soapy rag
- Ensure there is proper air ventilation around the garage door
- Avoid being reckless around the door, so you don’t dent it
- Don’t start and stop it from opening and closing when it is halfway up or down
Whether you have a light-duty residential garage door or a medium to a heavy-duty garage door, there are many things you can do in order to protect it. If you are still unsure about when the time for replacement is, consult with a professional garage door company for more details.
By investing in your garage door well before it actually needs replacing, you will ensure that you have the most up-to-date garage door parts in case anything goes wrong before the big day comes. Consult with service professionals at your earliest convenience so that they can help keep track of your garage door’s daily wear and tear. And if the time has come to actually replace it, consult with experts who can provide insight on what models are ideal depending on their use and longevity.
Contact the Professionals Today!
If your garage door is broken or bent, you may need a garage door repair or a new garage door. Either way, let a professional technician who services garage doors all day, every day, handle your garage door service. If there is something wrong with the door that can be managed and fixed, they will fix it or instruct you how to do so. Paying a little today can increase the longevity of your door and cost you less down the road.
Likewise, if your garage door needs replacing, ask for assistance in getting it done ASAP. Remember, there are several things you can do to put off replacing, but when it’s time, it’s time. If you’re in the Puget Sound area, or the Puyallup, WA area, and you need a garage door repair, garage door installation replacement, emergency 24/7 service, or other garage door services, contact Overhead Door Company of Puget Sound today! They’ve been servicing garage doors for over 100 years! Their experienced garage door specialists offer the best garage door service and the most quality garage door systems on the market today!
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