Is Your Garage Door Sagging? Causes and Repair Solutions
A garage door that is beginning to sag, in addition to being an eyesore- is also a sign that something isn't right with the alignment or structure of your door. Otherwise, a sagging garage door can cause further issues, be a safety hazard and decrease the effectiveness of the system. Luckily, there are restoration options to fix the problem before it gets worse. Over here at Affordable Garage Door Repair, we have helped the good people of Utah conquer sagging garage door issues time and time again. Here, we will take a closer look into the most popular causes of a droopy garage door and provide some answers considering that you need to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Why Does a Garage Door Sag?
Worn-Out Springs
Fact
The fact is that garage door springs play an important role in helping the door move up and down with ease. Springs can wear out, weaken, or break over time and when that happens your door might start sagging or no longer balance properly. If one side of the door is listing downward more than the rest, there may be uneven or broken springs.
Solution
If you think the springs were responsible, then they should be checked by a professional, and another reason to consider internet alarms! Garage door springs are tightly wound and under a great deal of pressure, which makes them potentially dangerous if you do not have the right tools and knowledge.
Warped or Damaged Door Panels
Fact
Weather, humidity, and other temperature changes can often cause wooden garage doors to sag over time. Elements can warp wood panels, cause them to crack or rot, and make the overall appearance of the garage look unattractive. Steel or aluminum doors The unsightly twist will also soon become a safety issue.
Solution
If the sagging is due to warped or damaged panels, either section will be repaired or replaced. Have it refinished but for a wooden door repair and sealing are recommended to control the damage conducted to its surface. Metal Doors — Small dents can be popped back out, but larger damage would require panel replacement.
Loose or Misaligned Tracks
Fact
The way that the garage door will roll up and down is on a system of tracks, and rollers. Sagging: If the tracks are too short, or warped, or if they have loosened at any point in time, it may cause the door to not open evenly and become uneven. This problem can lead to the door getting stuck or making loud sounds while in operation.
Solution
Get the tracks checked for misalignment, gaps, or blockage. If the bolts or screws have become loose, possibly due to vibrations running through the furnace during operation and shaking them free, you can simply tighten these with a screwdriver. But, if the tracks are bent out of shape or damaged beyond repair, you will have to call a professional.
Poorly Balanced Door
Fact
Garage door balance essential to high performance An out-of- balance door can cause the springs, tracks, and opener to break because they are extra stressed. Incorrectly Installed or Worn-Out Components —anything from faulty shocks, struts, and brakes to ball joints, bushings, etc.
How to test
Open your garage door about halfway and release it. If the door remains in place then it is balanced. If it ever falls or rises, It becomes an imbalance. There is a problem here and that can only be fixed by a professional realignment process.
Age and Wear
Fact
Similar to any other part of your home, garage doors are not meant to last forever. The springs, cables, and other materials tend to wear out from repetitive open and close usage over time. If your garage door is also old, sagging can be a signal that it may be time to replace it.
Solution
When your garage door is reaching the end of its life expectancy, probably between 15–30 years depending on the material, it might be time to replace it. While a new garage door will play an important role in sprucing up the appearance of your home, there are other advantages you need to keep in mind before calling your trusted contractor.
How to Fix a Sagging Garage Door: A Guide to Repair Fixes
Fortunately for homeowners, a sagging garage door can usually be repaired provided the problem is addressed quickly and properly. Below are the common repair solutions depending on the root problem
Replace Worn-Out Springs
For your concern about sagging doors, you can adjust or replace the tension on the springs of the door if any are weakened, weak, conked out, and otherwise working way past their best. A professional will check the springs to make sure they need replacing, and that both sides of the door are supported evenly. This repair will put the door back in balance and keep it from causing any further damage to the system.
Realign the Tracks
When the tracks have been seriously misaligned or they were just damaged, a professional can come in and realign them so that your garage door opens smoothly. If tracks are notably bent, they do have to be replaced A new door hinge repair can help you keep your garage door operating smoothly and opening and closing properly.
Replace the Garage Door
Replacing the garage door may be the most economical solution in cases where it is old, too damaged, or impossible to repair. A new garage door not only fixes the sagging problem but also increases the curb appeal, security, and energy efficiency of your home.
Damaged Panels Repair/Replacement
If you have doors with warped or damaged panels, the fix may be to repair or replace individual sections. For wooden garage doors, sections may need to be sanded, sealed, or replaced so that the door can retain its shape and look. Real heavy dents or major damage will generally have you looking for a new panel in a metal door.
Rebalance the Door
Rebalance for a Sagging Door If your door is unbalanced, balancing it can fix the issue. The springs and cables are adjusted by a professional so that the weight of the door is distributed evenly allowing it to open and close
smoothly in an appropriate manner. Rebalancing the door will also put less stress on other parts, prolonging the system’s life.
Avoiding Future Sagging: Care Tips
Maintenance is key to preventing your garage door from sagging in the future. In this article, we will offer a few methods of preventive maintenance to keep the garage door operating at its best.
Examine the Door for Damage: Look at the door for wear and tear, bending, or damage and have it replaced before it gets worse.
The article at FamilyHandyman.com also utilizes the helpful moving parts tip stating to “keep all parts moving” where they recommend lubricating the tracks, rollers, and hinges on things like garage doors or other sliding systems to allow for more fluid motion and less wear on the system.
Balance Inspection: Examine the balance of your door every few months to make sure it is evenly supported and working properly.
Get Regular Maintenance: Once every 12 months, have a professional come check out your garage door to look for potential issues and make sure that all parts are working correctly.
Conclusion
Another major issue with garage doors that is often easy to see but not straightforward to fix, is a gap just about the size of your finger between one side of your door and the frame or floor, which means something is off-bent on trued at the least or worst case scenario have broken springs. Neglecting this issue could cause even more damage and result in expensive repairs later on. Detection of the problem on time and the right repair solution will help you fix your garage door, and prevent further damage.
Here at Affordable Garage Door Repair, we are experts at diagnosing and repairing sagging garage doors. Our experienced technicians are ready to help whether your door needs a simple adjustment or complete replacement. Call us now so you can get that repair done and have your garage door back to its best again.
