How to Spot and Fix Early Signs of Garage Door Panel Damage
You want to have not just a functional garage door, but also one that adds to the aesthetic of your home. Even under normal circumstances, the repeated daily usage of the door and impact with weather elements such as hail or damage caused by accidents wear and tear down your garage door panels eventually. Early detection of damage to a garage door panel and performing timely repair can save you time, money, and even an entire garage door.
Here at Affordable Garage Door Repair, we understand the importance of preventative maintenance to uphold your garage door in both functionality and aesthetics. We will outline the early symptoms of garage door panel damage and provide some advice on how you can resolve these issues before they begin affecting your property.
Common Reasons for Garage Door Panel Damage
Before we go into the indicators of injury, it will be significant to know what causes garage door panel damage within the first position. The following are the common causes of damage to panels
Exposure to Weather
Garage door panels can warp, crack, or fade under extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, moisture, and sunlight (in the case of wood and metal doors).
Accidental impact
When you or any other object bangs on the panel of your garage door, it can cause dimples and cracks.
Wear and Tear
Regular use can result in the weakening of panels over time, made more probable when not properly cared for.
Metal doors are the most common when lines are out there, and they will rust and corrode (especially in humid or near coastal climates like Houston, Texas).
Indications You Have Garage Door Panel Damage
Early detection when the damage is still small helps avoid larger problems. These are some of the earliest warning signals:
Dents and Dings
- Dings and dents are just one of the signs that your panel is taking damage. These can be the result of light encounters like a ball striking the door or a vehicle touching when reversing. Small dents may not seem problematic, but they can compromise the strength of the panel and cause more serious damage, little by little over time.
How to Fix It
- Small dents in metal doors might be able to be pulled out by yourself, you can try sucking them out with a plunger or even straining the dent before hitting it with a block of wood and hammer to push the dent back. If there is a larger dent, this may need to be processed by a professional repair or even a panel replacement.
Wood doors
Fill small dings with wood filler and then sand smooth. Recoat or restrain the area in a color similar to the rest of the door.
Panel Cracks or Opening
Wood Garage Doors
Cracks or Splits Split timber is a more common problem in wood garage doors; however, it can also be seen in fiberglass and vinyl-style doors. These cracks may begin small however, if left unchecked can become bigger, and when they do they provide reduced strength to the panel.
How to Fix It
Wood doors
fill small cracks with wood filler or epoxy, then sand and repaint the area. Bigger fractures might require an experienced opinion on whether the panel needs to be replaced.
Fiberglass or vinyl doors
Cracks in fiberglass or vinyl often require replacing the damaged panel, as repairs may not restore the door's strength.
Warping or Bowing
- Bends or Warping Bending a garage door panel occurs when it becomes compressed, causing impurities to creep into the metal and flap out when opening and closing. You might most frequently see this in wood doors, but even metal or aluminum doors can warp under severe conditions.
How to Fix It
For wood doors
If the warping is minimal, sand it and install braces. Significant warping is frequently so extreme that the panel must be replaced.
For metal doors
Warped metal panels are often repaired by a professional, sometimes involving bending the metal back into place or replacing the damaged panel entirely.
Rust or Corrosion
- This is particularly true with respect to metal garage doors, which tend to be more prone to rusting and corrosion in coastal or humid regions. Rust not only looks unsightly on your door but can make the metal weak and begin to corrode if left untreated.
How to Fix It
- Scrape the rust away with a special wire brush or sandpaper.
- Toss on a good rust-inhibiting primer to keep it from corroding in the future.
Early detection when the damage is still small helps avoid larger problems. These are some of the earliest warning signals:
Fading or Discoloration
- The paint or finish on your garage door can fade and/or change color over time due to exposure to UV rays from the sun. Although this may appear simply cosmetic, the fading can lead to exposure of the base material to the elements and further damage.
How to Fix It
- Repaint or stain the door again to make it look new and offer protection against further elements. Remember to use paint that is suitable for outdoor use and provide UV protection.
When to Change Garage Door Panels
There are times when the garage door panels cannot be fixed so replacing them is a better alternative. Follow these warning signs when your damaged garage door panels need a replacement.
Dents and Dings
Widespread or excessive damage
When several panels are dented, cracked, warped, etc. it might be more economical to simply replace the entire panel instead of repairing each issue.
- Especially if you have something wrong with your door and it stops opening or closing smoothly, it's probably the wiser decision regarding the whole garage door system.
Garage Door Panel Replacement Old Age
If you have an old garage door that is starting to show wear and tear, panel replacement can help prolong the lifespan of your door as well as update its appearance.
If the other components that make up your garage doors are in good working order, it can be more cost-effective to replace individual panels.
Avoiding Garage Door Panel Damage in the Future
Protecting garage door panel breakage is a lot more cruel than preventing high-priced fixes or substitutions. Read our tips on how to keep your garage door panels in top shape;
Regular maintenance
Again, we encourage routine scrutiny of your garage door for dents, cracks, or deformities. Rinse the door with clean water and mild detergent to remove any dirt or grime that can cause rust and discoloration.
Defend against the elements
Wood doors should be repainted or resealed periodically to prevent damage from moisture and ultraviolet rays. Metal doors: Protect against rust by applying rust-inhibiting coatings.
Beware of impacts
Don't park too close to the garage door and when moving bikes, tools, and other items in and out of the garage, be careful so that you do not accidentally make contact with your garage door.
When to Call a Professional
Many DIY methods will take care of minor dents, and scrapes, however, get to know your local professionals in case the damage is worse. If you are not sure how to repair the damage or if it is interfering with your door operation, hire a professional garage door technician.
So if you need help with garage door panel repair in Denver, Entry & Automatic Gate Repair of Colorado can be the best solution for your problem. Our team of professionals can compile a report on the damage and how best to re-surface your door back to new again.
Conclusion
You can find and fix signs of damage to your garage door panels early so that you can avoid more extensive repairs later. Think about it if you have a crack, rust spots, or any minor dent fixing them early will help with the overall look and keep your garage door lasting longer. If you want some expert advice or help in any way, be sure to get in touch with us here at Affordable Garage Door Repair. If you have any visual signs of panel damage, please get in touch with us to also perform the inspection and repair service.
