Repair vs. Replacement Which Option Guarantees Reliable Garage Door Performance

Repair vs.
Replacement:
Which Option
Guarantees
Reliable Garage
Door Performance?

Introduction
Whether it is minor wear and tear, damage or complete malfunctioning of your garage door,
these are among the problems homeowners dread the most. However, at one point or
another, you will have to deal with the issue surrounding your garage door. When it does
happen, you will have to make the decision of doing a repair or replacement. How do you go
about choosing the right solution that guarantees effective and long-lasting results?
To be honest, both options are great depending on the specific problem at hand. Here are
some of the common garage door problems and whether a repair or replacement is ideal.

Table of Contents
When a Repair Will Suffice
When a Replacement Is the Best Course Of Action
Top Prep Steps to Get Your Garage Door Repair Project Started Off On the Right Foot
Top DIY Garage Door Repair Secrets Every Homeowner Should Know
Common Garage Door Repair Problems and How to Fix Them
Important Safety Tips to Remember When Doing DIY Garage Door Repair
Top 5 Hacks for Cutting Cost on Garage Door Repairs

When a Repair Will Suffice
A replacement job isn’t always necessary. When is the right time to do garage doors repairs?
• Damaged Panels: If you observe any physical damage on your garage door, you might
want to have it repaired with immediate effect. The key to a successful repair of single
panel damage is to get to it when the damage is still minor. If you wait around for too
long, you are looking at high repair costs that may be equivalent to a full replacement.
• A Sagging Garage Door: If you are experiencing a situation where your garage door only
closes halfway, it is a good sign that it is imbalanced. This often means that the door is
exerting pressure on the lifting mechanism and hence needs to be repaired.
• Minor Tweaks: Once in a while, you might want to do some basic cosmetic fixes on your
door including chipped paint or fading to improve its look. In this case, repair is the most
cost-effective option.

When a Replacement Is the Best Course Of Action
Although repair of a garage door is a cheaper option, sometimes there’s a need for
a replacement. This includes the following scenarios:
• Severe Damage: First and foremost, if the damage on your door is extensive,
you might want to replace it altogether. It beats logic to spend money on a
number of replacement parts when you can get a brand new door once and for
all. If your door has suffered damage as a result of adverse weather conditions,
go for a replacement without giving it a second thought.
• Cosmetic Reasons: Perhaps your door is 10 years or more and you want a new
design that matches your home’s curb appeal. This sounds more like a
replacement job than a repair project.

• After A Break-In: We hate to break it to you but burglars have found ways to bypass
garage doors. In most cases, these individuals have figured out the secret pin for
manually unlocking the door. Some also disengage the garage door’s motor and actually
open the door by hand. Regardless, you might want to have the door replaced to avoid
another break-in.
Your garage door is the biggest entry to your home. When it develops issues, you can either
have it repaired or replaced. The choice will ultimately depend on the extent of the damage
and your personal preferences. Choose wisely!

Top Prep Steps to Get Your Garage Door
Repair Project Started Off On the Right Foot
Anyone who knows the operation of an overhead garage door understands that it uses
spring tension to roll up or swing into one piece. Essentially, the door moves through metal
tracks located on the walls of your garage where a heavy spring provides the power of the
motion. Over time, this smooth operation is compromised as a result of a number of factors
including loose screws and bolts, misaligned tracks, loose hardware, damaged brackets, and
more.
If you are looking to have your door repaired, there are a few prep steps you can take care
of to ensure the job goes smoothly. Whether you have asked a pro to come over and does
the repair or you plan on making it a DIY job, there are crucial things you can do
beforehand.

1. Clear Your Garage
The first thing to do would be to clean tidy up the garage. You don’t have to necessarily
empty it as that’s impractical but it’d make things so much easier if you got rid of things that
can fall of the garage door during the project. If you have some toys, gardening tools,
hanging baskets, and car parts, they will make it hard for you or a technician to maneuver
through the mess. Take some time and clear up some space by the doorway. Additionally,
check the exterior of your garage door as well and eliminate any obstructive object. By
doing this, you ensure that the job will be done a lot quicker. It also prevents the risk of
accidents to your family members and your possessions.

2. Perform Some Minor Inspections Of The Door
Once the clutter is out of the way, examine your garage door and see if you can find basic
issues that don’t necessarily require outside help. Begin by checking each mountain bracket
for any loose screws or bolts. If you find any, tighten them. Then proceed to the tracks.
Establish whether they are properly aligned and at the same height. To align them, loosen the
bolts and screws of each mounting brackets, tap them into place and re-tighten the screws and
bolts.
The next thing to do is to check the springs. If there’s any malfunction that you think you can
handle, this is the time to do so. However, most of the repair work on the springs is better left
for the pros. The reason is that the tension on the spring can injure you during adjustment.
Finally, if you are outside and the door won’t open, check the battery. It might need replacing.

3. Try Not To Dismantle Your Garage Door
This is not really a prep stage but an important tip nonetheless. No matter your build and
skill for garage door repairs, don’t try to dismantle an old garage door by yourself. You could
put yourself and other people at risk. Leave the job to technicians who are trained on how
to safely and effectively handle garage door replacements and repairs.
There you have it 3 prep steps to guarantee a smooth garage door repair job. The
preparation stage determines the speed, safety, and efficiency of the repair job.

Top DIY Garage Door Repair Secrets Every
Homeowner Should Know
If you have a garage at home, it’s likely that you have invested in the best garage door you could
afford. This is because a garage door does more than secure your garage. It also adds value to it
and to your home as a whole. But, what happens when your garage door has a problem? Do you
pick up your phone to call your local handyman or do you take out your toolbox to try to fix it
yourself?
If you belong to the latter category, then you need to learn a few secrets for getting the job done.
And if you belong to the former category and eager to learn how to do the repair yourself, the
secrets to be discussed will definitely help you. Besides, DIY garage door repair will translate to
financial saving in the long run as you won’t have to pay a handyman.
It’s important, however, to know that not all garage door repairs are DIY. Some are best left to
garage door experts. Here are some of the repairs you can do yourself and the secrets for doing
them:

1. Garage Door is making an Unusual Sound
The most popular noise that can come from a garage door is a popping sound. If this is the
case, it means that the rollers are worn out and need to be changed. You just need to buy a
new set to replace the old ones. Preferably, you should go for nylon over aluminum. This is
because nylon rollers are more durable and easier to maintain than aluminum rollers. If the
noise is the squeaking type, then all you have to do is lubricate the garage door. Start with
the rollers and then move to the hinges.

2. Garage Door Has a Dent
If you have kids at home, this is likely to happen. However, you shouldn’t worry as you can
fix it. You just need to follow these steps:
– Clean the garage door
– Cover the dent with a layer of aluminum foil
– Heat the foil slightly
– Spray carbon dioxide over the foil
– Wait to see the dent pop out

3. Garage Door Not Opening or Closing as Expected
If your garage door won’t open or close fully, it means that the opener has a problem. In this
case, it’s either the limit switch or the sensor that’s not working. For the first case, you have
to adjust the limit switch. For the second case, you need to clean the sensors to ensure they
are responsive.

4. Garage Door Not Responding to the Remote Control
If the connection is faulty or the power is out, don’t expect the garage door to respond to
the remote control. Sometimes, it’s a case of the batteries being dead. So, check them. If
they are not working, replace them. In fact, it’s advisable to replace the batteries annually.
You also need to check the buttons of your remote control. If there are small objects
trapped, remove them.
From the above secrets, it’s clear that not every garage door repair needs professional
hands. Some are simply DIY and you just need to know how to get the job done. But still, if
the fixing is beyond your capability, then you shouldn’t hesitate to call a handyman. You may
save yourself a lot of trouble and time if you do so.

Common Garage Door Repair Problems and How
to Fix Them
Is your garage door acting up? Has it stopped working completely? Contrary to common
belief, some of the garage door problems can be easily fixed by any ordinary individual.
Before you call the experts, go over the root cause of the issue and find out whether you
can do something about it. Here, we have listed down 5 common garage door problems and
simple ways to fix them.

1. Your Garage Door Doesn’t Open Completely
Perhaps the most common garage door issue among homeowners is the door opening
halfway. It gets them into a panic mode, especially when they need to step out in haste.
However, if this happens to you, take a deep breath and check your up-limit switch. Is it
positioned too far from the motor unit? If it is, you might need to move it closer to the
motor. Alternatively, check for damaged and balky rollers and replace or lubricate
accordingly.
2. A Noisy Door
Whether it is the presence of squeaky sections, shabby parts, or loose hardware, a noisy
garage door can be really aggravating. Fortunately, lubrication can eliminate the problem
completely. If you notice your door has an unusual noise, apply some lubricant on the
squeaky part.

3. A Non-Functional Wall Switch
Wall switch malfunctions often stem from power supply problems. If this ever happens to
you, inspect your fuses and breakers and find out if any of them are broken, tripped or burnt
out. If this is so, you might want to have them replaced or reset. If there are no issues here,
check the power in your motor unit. If it is burnt out, plan for its replacement or repair.
4. A Motor That Won’t Stop Running Even After The Door Has Closed
Ideally, once the garage door has closed all the way, the motor should stop running. If you
find that it keeps running, it may translate an issue in your entire system. Like the first
problem above, this is a depiction of the wrong positioning of your up-limit switch. The best
way to fix it is to move the switch to a good distance from the motor.

5. The Remote Doesn’t Work
If your garage door remote opener isn’t working, it could be that you are out of range. In
this case, simply move closer, press the button and see if it works. If that isn’t really the
issue, try and open the door using the wall switch. If it does open, your remote may have
problems of its own including depleted batteries and other major issues. Try replacing the
batteries and if that doesn’t resolve the issue, replace the remote altogether.
6. The Door Won’t Open During Winter
During winter, a garage door may refuse to open due to stiff rollers and problems with the
motor sensitivity. The best course of action is to lubricate the roller and adjust the motor
sensitivity respectively.
As you can see, some of the common garage door problems can be easily fixed by anyone.
The next time you face issues with your garage door, don’t be in a rush to call the experts.
Identify its root cause and try and fix it on your own.

Important Safety Tips to Remember When
Doing DIY Garage Door Repair
At home, the garage door is probably the largest and heaviest component that you have. So,
fixing it is never easy. But if you are handy, you could actually save money doing it yourself.
However, you have to be careful and watch out for possible injury risks. The truth is that
safety is always a concern when repairing a garage door. You need to know what you are
doing. Here are important safety tips to remember when doing DIY garage door repairs:

1. Wear Safety Gear
Before you can grab your toolbox to fix your garage door, you need to ensure that you
observe personal safety. Wear thick protective gloves to protect your fingers from getting
pinched by the door’s joints. If the repair involves welding works, you need to protect your
eyes and body by wearing safety glasses and apron respectively. If you don’t have an apron
on, then you should ensure that your clothes are not loose so as not to get trapped when
working.
2. Watch Your Hands
Though you may be wearing thick gloves, they don’t protect you from heavy tools that may
accidentally hit you. So, you just need to watch your hands and your fingers.

3. Keep Kids Away
Kids can be a problem if allowed near your working area. For one, they may be tempted to
play with some of your tools. Considering that a majority of them are either heavy or sharp,
the kids can hurt themselves if they try lifting the tools up. There’s also the temptation of
using your garage door opener. If they engage the door when you are still repairing it, you
may get hurt.
4. Keep the Doorway Clear
Before you can disengage your garage door to fix it, you should ensure that there are no
objects on the doorway. This not only includes your car but also people who may get injured
when the door is unlocked.

5. Operate it Manually
Though you may be having a garage door opener, you don’t have to use it when fixing your door
unless you have to. This is to ensure that it’s not accidentally pressed to engage the door while you
are still working. If you are caught by the door, you may suffer a severe injury.
6. Know When to Call a Garage Expert
Not every garage door issue is a DIY fix. Some garage door repairs are best left to experts. For
example, you shouldn’t attempt to fix torsion springs. They are quite delicate and you may risk
weakening the door. This could easily lead to it falling on you. Additionally, you may not know if the
springs need to be repaired or to replaced. Sometimes all that the springs need is tension release.
Such a problem requires special tools that only garage door experts have access to.
When doing DIY garage door repair, what matters most other than getting the job done is your
safety. You have to prioritize it and this means staying away from possible sources of injury. Always
remember the above safety tips to protect yourself and everyone around your working area.

Top 5 Hacks for Cutting Cost on Garage Door
Repairs
If you’ve owned a garage for some time now, you probably know that making
repairs on it is a costly affair. According to HomeGuide, the average cost of
repairing a garage door in 2019 is approximately $190. The specific figure depends
on the size and type of your garage door and the particular repairs needed.
Lucky for you, there are a few tricks that can help bring the figure down to a
manageable level. Without further ado, here are top 5 tips for cutting your garage
door costs:

1. Regular Maintenance
Let’s face it: many homeowners ignore the need for doing regular maintenance on their garage
doors. Others simply forget until it is too late. However, if you can perform some basic checks on
your garage door every few months, you can avoid a lot of problems down the road. Ensure all
moving parts are lubricated. Check for any damages and wear and tear and act immediately to
avoid further damage. If your door is more than two years old, you might want to call the pros to
do some inspections every year. This way, you avoid costly repairs and deadly accidents.
2. Go For Quality
You know the saying, “cheap is expensive?” This statement is true when it comes to garage doors.
When you choose poor quality materials for your door and its parts, you will certainly run into
plenty of repairs in the coming years. To be safe, purchase a quality door (both materials and
electronics) and the door itself. If your door is old and utterly worn out, consider of replacing it
altogether to keep repairs minimum.

3. Go DIY
Not all garage door issues warrant expert help. Some of them can be fixed with relative ease
by any John Doe. Some of the easy-to-fix problems include doors that won’t close all the
way, remote malfunctions, issues with the wall switch, and keypads. The rule of thumb here
is that when your garage door malfunctions, take some time and inspect it. You might find
that expert opinion isn’t necessary.
4. Know When To Call An Expert
This hack almost goes against the previous one but if you think about it closely, they actually
go hand-in-hand. With the DIY trend taking over the home improvement industry, many
homeowners are experimenting on every project around their spaces. However, DIY
sometimes does more harm than good. You could damage your motor or the entire door
which will increase your repair costs further. If you aren’t too sure about your technical and
electrical skills, let the experts handle the project once and for all.

5. Don’t Procrastinate
Most people suspend small garage door repairs (such as squeaks) until it’s too late. Often,
this small issue balloons into something more serious and costly to repair. Deal with each
garage door issue as early as possible.
Garage doors malfunction from time to time. Considering the average price of repairing one,
the thought of saving money on the repair project in a welcome relief to most homeowners.
See more at https://garagedoorrepairscanada.ca/