Signs You Need to Replace Your Garage Door

Common Signs You Need to Replace Your Garage Door

Dated Design

Although fashions change, security and innovation improves. There will come a time when the security of a new garage door will far outstrip the benefits of keeping your aged door. If you replace a garage door with one that has Secured by Design accreditation, you can be safe in the knowledge that it is much more secure. This police-preferred specification is rigorously tested to ensure burglars will be deterred.

Broken

All mechanisms deteriorate with use and sometimes they can all give out at the same time. There might be one component that goes, which in turn causes another to break. Otherwise, you may have parts that regularly wreak havoc on the door’s operation. At any rate, you should replace a garage door if it’s broken or regularly breaks as it can cause damage or be easy to break into.

Unsafe Operation

It may get to a point where the normal operation of your garage door becomes inconsistent - slower, more resistant or unresponsive. Sometimes these underlying issues can be rectified quite simply, and there are other times when this just isn’t possible; a broken door is not safe and can cause injury, presenting a danger to you and your family. In instances such as this, it’s best to simply replace your garage door.

Ease of Use

It may simply be that you have had a typical up and over garage door for most of your life and that has worked fine, or you’ve made do with its deterioration over the years. If you replace this garage door with a new roller door, you can then benefit from no loss of driveway space and a much easier operating mechanism. These can even be automated, which is much simpler to do on a new garage door than an existing one that has aged and doesn’t work so well.

Take a look at at our related article for new garage door options.

Noise

Not only does this point relate to the operating noise of the door, but also the insulating properties to be able to block out any sound from outside. Older doors tend to become noisier as they age if they aren’t maintained, while new garage doors have better insulating properties. If you’re looking to replace your garage door, a newer version or model will resolve the racket.

Electric Garage Door Issues

Automatic garage doors are also no strangers to faults and damage. There can be a number of issues that present themselves over the years, and these can all be normal problems that can be rectified without having to replace a garage door. These can include the following:

• Not responding

• Failed sensor

• Dead batteries

• Disconnected

The first thing to check is the batteries. Any remotes should be checked to see if they’re working properly. If the issue is to do with your door opening and closing inconsistently, perhaps halfway up, check the sensors. Any obstructions should be cleared and the sensor cleaned of any dirt.

If your door isn’t responding, or has a mind of its own, and the batteries are okay, you will need a professional to look at your garage door straight away. It could be a wiring issue or a bigger underlying problem that you won’t necessarily be able to rectify yourself, unless you’re a suitably qualified electrician. If the garage door isn’t working at all, check to see if it’s come loose from the operating mechanism. This will need to be safely reattached.

Even though there are electric garage door issues that can be resolved yourself, there will be some problems that arise in which it makes more sense to replace the garage door instead. This can include if your door is over 15 years old or if it starts to make very unusual noises. Sometimes, you can replace your garage door without feeling like it’s a waste of money.

Signs to Repair Your Garage Door

Whether electric or manual, there are some things to look out for that means you don’t have to replace a garage door. As long as you keep it in good condition, you can prevent spending money on a new garage door and make sure it lasts as long as possible. The signs of repair are typically cosmetic issues and include the below.

• Chips and scratches

• Dents

• Heavy door

Chips, scratches and dents can become bigger issues over time if they are not dealt with in the early stages, leading to a lack of security. If left too long, you will need to replace the garage door. Likewise, if your door has become heavy, check the springs and operating mechanism. The springs can be replaced cheaply and the mechanism can be lubricated inexpensively as well. If this still doesn’t resolve the issue, it may be time to replace your garage door.

Signs to Replace Your Garage Door

Even though there are instances that favour repair, some scenarios are too far gone. Typical instances that require you to replace your garage door include the following:

• Cost

• Age of door

• Damage to multiple panels

• Long term damage

• Needing an increase in security

If the price of repairs outweighs the cost of a new garage door, it makes sense to opt for the latter. Similarly, an older door that’s seen 15-20 years of use will benefit from a replacement. Extensive damage, whether long term or to multiple sections of your garage door, pose security risks as well as operational ones. Likewise, newer doors are more secure. If any of these sound like your current system, you will benefit if you replace your garage door.

Find out how much a new garage door costs.