The modern garage door has so many moving parts. While it will be a joy when it is working, it can get really frustrating when it is not working and maximum efficiency.
Everything will need to work together for the garage door to function. That is why you might experience frequent problems with the garage when one component has failed. This will sometimes mean a complete haul. You might be comparing the garage door repair cost and what it will take to have a new one. Which begs the question, how do you know it is time to replace the garage door?
Speed
There should be a certain speed that the garage door opens and closes. A faulty door might close faster than the recommended speed. This is not safe, especially when you have kids who like to play in the front yard. You might need to replace the garage door when you start noticing it is opening much slower or faster compared to the past.
Inconsistency
You will start noticing that you need to press the open or close button more than once for there to be an action. This can be frustrating especially after a long day at work and you can never get used to it. There is a high likelihood that something is amiss and you won’t have any other option but to call an experienced contractor. Sometimes the problem could be as simple as changing the batteries. You know you’re in serious problems when replacing the battery doesn’t fix the problem.
A Mind of Its Own
You might be woken up in the middle of the night thinking you’re under attack but it is the garage door that has opened by itself. This leaves your home vulnerable to the thieves and also the elements. The problem might be a malfunction of one of the electrical components. The only way of getting to the bottom of the problem is to look for a garage door technician who will be able to advise if a repair or replacement is necessary.
Not Closing All the Way
This is usually a problem with old garage doors. The door will shut down before it is completely closed. There are some situations where there is debris in the rollers which is making it impossible for the door to be closed. There is very little you can do if the problem is with the opener itself. The opener might have undergone wear and tear and sometimes it won’t make sense trying to replace it when dealing with an old garage door.
Nothing Happens
It is also possible that the garage door might refuse to open completely. This means that you will have to park your car on the streets. Such a problem is likely to be caused by the failure of electrical components. Attempting to DIY repairs is not recommended as you might end up worsening the situation. You should be looking for a garage door technician to get to the bottom of the problem. Even though you might not need to replace the whole garage door, there is a high chance the opener will need to be changed. You can still let yourself out of the garage manually by disengaging the motor.
Strange Noise
Garage doors are not always silent but you will definitely notice when you start hearing strange noises. Even the quietest of garage doors will still generate some level of noise. If you notice a strange noise that is persistent, there might be something wrong with the motors. Don’t ignore such noises as it could mean replacing the whole garage door down the line.
Appearance
You might have been living in that home for several years and everything else in the neighborhood is changing. You have worked on everything else except for your garage. It will not be such a bad idea to replace the whole door when it is not aesthetically appealing. The garage door might be functioning but it is only a matter of time before it breaks down, especially if it is more than 20 years. You don’t have to wait for that moment. You can improve the curb appeal of your home by replacing the garage door.
To sum it up, you should call a professional immediately you start experiencing problems with your garage door. You will be able to avoid expensive repairs once the issues are detected early. It is also important that you’re working with an experienced professional.
