If you’re like most homeowners, you do your share of maintenance from time to time. Your house’s interior may need painting, floor molding may need to be replaced due to gouges or scuff marks, or the furnace or air conditioner requires a professional maintenance call. But when comes to garage doors – your home’s calling card and one of the first things a visitor sees – homeowners often look elsewhere for things to work on around the house. That’s unfortunate, because telltale signs you need to call overhead door installation experts accumulate over time.
DON’T FORGET MONTHLY INSPECTIONS
Homeowners in Littleton could probably save money on garage door repairs and replacement if they put in some time upfront on monthly inspections. Do you see any rust on the door panels? Are the springs making noise? Does the door appear misaligned? These are just some of the warning signs to be aware of. Regular monthly inspections of your garage door are important and could save money in the long run.
TELLTALE SIGNS THAT IT'S TIME FOR A NEW GARAGE DOOR
Besides your garage door falling off the track or otherwise not working, what are some of the signs to look for that you need to call on a garage door installation expert for a replacement? Here are several of our favorites.
Your garage door hasn’t aged well
Anything made of metal or powered by mechanical components will wear down eventually. If your garage door is cracked, broken, damaged, aged, and rusted, it’s a sign you need a new one. As another example, most older models don’t have a sensor-based automatic reversing feature. This is common in new doors and keeps a moving object or person from getting damaged or injured when the door is being open or closed.
Even repairs fail to keep the door opening and closing smoothly
Garage doors have a single function: To open and close at the push of a button or tug on the handle. If it can’t do this even with regular maintenance from someone who specializes in overhead doors, then it’s time to replace the door and opener.
Whenever your garage door opens or closes, your neighbors complain
Besides your immediate neighbors mentioning the noise when your garage door is in operation, the loud noise is a potential signal to burglars canvassing your street that your residence can be breached through the garage door. Noisy garage doors tell the neighborhood when you’re coming or going. What’s worse is the noise could be a problem for family members or visitors with sensitive ears or another medical condition requiring quiet.
Most people regard a noisy door as a minor problem but that isn’t necessarily true. A loud garage door could be signs of faulty hardware, worn rollers, a bad garage door opener, or some other problem. In many cases, minor repairs are only a band aid when what you really need is to call a garage door installation company for a new model.
The door shakes
Unless there’s an earthquake, explosion, or accident, your garage door shouldn’t shake when it’s opening or closing. It will be free of noise, vibrations, or sensations of shaking. If it shakes, the door is struggling to perform its core function. This may be a warning sign of broken parts or there is a chance it may fall off the tracks. Unexpected jerking motions are another sign your old garage door has outlived its usefulness. It may also shake because it’s off the tracks.
It responds to remote commands - occasionally
When you push the button on a garage door remote or door panel, you expect it to start opening or closing within a second or two. Operating the garage door shouldn’t be like trying to convince your dog to go outside in the rain for a pee break. In other words, it should just work. But a delayed response time might be the result of a faulty door or a malfunctioning garage door opener, meaning it’s the perfect time to call a Littleton overhead door company.
It malfunctions repeatedly
If you find yourself frequently adjusting motion sensors, lubricating springs, or tightening hinges, it may be time to think of buying a new, feature-laden garage door with all the bells and whistles.
The door sags
Garage doors can sag. To see if yours does, disconnect the opener from the door and raise it with your hands. Stop closing or opening it halfway and see if it goes up or falls by itself. If either happens on its own, sagging has become a real problem.
Your garage door lets in cold or hot air
If you notice a warm or cold draft, that could mean that your garage door door is cracked, that it's seals are broken, or the insulation sandwiched between panels has degraded. All this can lead to higher energy bills, which you don’t need. Investing in an energy-saving garage door will save money on the electric bill for many years.
There’s a gap between the garage door and the floor
This could mean the rubber seal is bad or the door itself is misaligned. Either way, it’s a problem. Besides letting in hot or cold air, a gap can result in rainwater getting into your garage. Gaps between the door and floor are also potential ways for rodents, other small animals, or even burglars to gain entry to your home.
WORK WITH SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST
At Arapahoe Garage Doors, we’ve been a fixture in Littleton and Greater Denver communities for 25 years. We specialize in garage door and remote repairs and replacement and feature the best products and services at affordable prices. Call us today at 303-730-0232 for more information.