It’s easy to be complacent about your garage door. After all, it’s just another piece of your house, and aside from opening and closing it to stow your car for the night, it probably doesn’t command much of your attention. It can impact how your house looks, but it’s usually not as much of a focal point as your front door. Because it’s so easy to overlook, most folks are caught off-guard when they realize their garage door needs repairs or complete replacement.
Before you’re blindsided by worn springs or a crack in the front panels, take a moment to review these five warning signs that it might be time to consider replacing your garage door in the near future.
1. Constant Squeaking
Whenever you open or close your garage door, there’s a horrible squeaking or squealing noise. You might try applying oil wherever you suspect the issue originates, but no matter what you do, every entrance or departure from your garage is accompanied by a horrible cacophony of noise. These noises can indicate that the hardware on your garage doors is wearing out, which means you’ll likely need to have it assessed and repaired or replaced.
2. Shakes or Stutters
If your garage doors are perfectly quiet when they open, but shake or stutter as they complete their course of motion, this is another indication that something might not be right. The staggered movement indicates the tracks, rollers, or belt may have become cracked or worn. These parts are essential for your garage doors to function safely, so if you notice a jitter when you open your garage, it’s a clear sign that you need to have it checked.
3. Sagging When Open
Your garage doors are designed to complete recede up past the opening of your garage, so as to provide you with the maximum possible amount of clearance. Sagging is what happens when your garage door opens as anticipated, but the bottom of it sags and droops a few inches past the clearance of your garage frame. When this happens, it’s likely because a spring has become stretched out or your rollers and tracks no longer align correctly.
It may be a case of a simple repair, but if the damage is extensive, it may be time to contact your local garage door company for a replacement.
4. Chipping or Warping
Garage doors can be made from many different materials, but none of them are impervious to daily wear and tear. Perhaps a stray hockey puck caused a dent, or extended sun exposure has created cracks in the jointed panels. When your garage doors become warped or misshapen, they may bump up against the moving mechanisms, which can put additional strain and stress on your hardware or prevent it from closing altogether.
Warped panels may also not provide good protection against the elements, creating the opportunity for leaks during a rainstorm and entry paths for local vermin. In both instances, you’ll want to replace the affected panels or door to prevent these issues.
5. You’re Moving
Your front door might be the starring attraction of your home’s exterior, but an attractive garage door can easily elevate the asking price for a home. If you’re considering selling your home in the near future, replacing your garage door is a good way to provide the new homeowner with a bit of extra value and ensure that they won’t experience any issues with an old or outdated door. It can also give your home a bit of a visual facelift, making it more appealing to prospective buyers.
Garage Doors in Barrie & Newmarket
If you’re ready to replace your garage doors, you’re in the right place. Kempenfelt Windows & Doors carries GARAGA, the Canadian leader in garage doors for almost 35 years. GARAGA doors are built and designed specifically for Canadian weather, and you’ll be able to browse a wide variety of styles to find the perfect match for your home.
For more information on garage doors from Kempenfelt Windows & Doors, give us a call at (705) 737-1554. You can also send us a message online.
