How long will your garage door work properly? The average garage door usage is around 30 years if you take care of it properly. But the age of each garage door is generally different, depending on the conditions and situation. If you do not maintain and clean your garage door properly, you may have to replace it after several years of use. Or, if a natural disaster occurs, such as a flood or earthquake, you will also have to repair or replace it. The question is, when do you have to replace the garage door, and when you need a repair. Garage door repair and replacement consist of several factors. In the following, we will discuss the factors that affect the life of the garage door.
1. Type of Damage
Not all damage that occurs to your garage door requires complete replacement. Sometimes, you need to make improvements in just a few parts. There are three levels of garage door damage, namely:
– Initial level
At this initial stage, the damage does occur to the garage door but does not affect the structural integrity or function of the door. Minor harm, for example, the door painting is peeled off or faded, or there is a crack on the layers. The damage only affects the appearance of your garage door, so you do not need a replacement, just a paint repair.
– Medium level
A higher level of damage is if the damage interferes with the structural integrity of your garage door. Examples of this second degree of damage are doors that become bent, rusted, or difficult to open/close. Early structural damage, such as rust, does not require complete replacement. You can use a rust cleaner so that the door can operate properly again. And, if the door is difficult to open/close, you can check the hinges or rails, whether they need repair or replacement.
– Serious level
At this level, you usually have to replace it, not just repair it. A damaging door that impacts its structure will not work well. It will endanger the safety of the garage and the items/vehicles in it.
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2. Level of Damage
As with the type of damage, the level of damage determines when you have to make repairs to your door. If the type of damage is only to the coating of the door – the paint is peeling or fading – you can repair it. However, if the level of damage already affects the performance of the door – cracked panels, squeaky sliding sounds, hard to move, and stuttering – you will need to undertake major repairs, even complete replacement. A broken door will cause a gap in the security of your home. So, make sure you use a garage door that is sturdy and works well.
In Columbus, you should not be confused about finding garage door repair or replacement services. You can find many companies offering these services. So, if you want to ensure the safety of your home and garage is well maintained, make sure you contact garage door repair Columbus to maintain and repair your doors!