The Culprits of a Bent Garage Door
Welcome to another informative blog post brought to you by Overhead Door Company of Huntsville/North Alabama™. Your garage door is a critical component of your home’s security and convenience. When it operates smoothly, you probably don’t give it much thought, but when something goes wrong, it can be frustrating and potentially dangerous. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the common causes of a garage door bending and provide valuable insights into how to prevent and address this issue.
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The Importance of Keeping Your Garage Door in Good Shape
In addition to serving as an important entrance to your home, garage doors also play an essential role in protecting your property. That’s why it’s crucial to keep them in good shape. With that in mind, read on to learn all about garage door bending and why it’s essential to address this issue promptly.
Why Does a Garage Door Bend?
The last thing you want on a rushed morning is a malfunctioning garage door. Without basic care, a garage door may start to sag, warp, or bend. It won’t take long for the door to stop working after this happens, leaving you stuck with a possibly costly repair or replacement.
Understanding the root reasons for a warped, bowed or bent garage door may help you avoid it altogether. Here are six of the most common causes of a bent garage door:
- Poor Quality: Cheap garage doors made of bland metal bend easier than doors made of sturdy materials, such as glass, aluminum, steel, vinyl, or fiberglass. A new garage door built of top-notch materials, installed by a professional garage door repair service, should guarantee years of trouble-free operation for your entrance.
- Accidental Impact: One of the most common reasons for a garage door to bend is accidental impact. This can occur when a vehicle collides with the door or when an object obstructs the door’s path while it’s in motion. The force of the impact can cause the door panels to warp or bend out of shape.
- Extreme Weather: Weather conditions can be severe, and garage doors can bear the brunt of it. Heavy rainfall, high winds, and storms can place significant stress on your door. If you notice damage or warping after such weather events, consult a professional to assess if panel replacement is possible.
- Uneven Tracks: Garage door tracks control the rollers and their movement within the door frame. If the tracks aren’t precisely aligned, the door can become stressed and bent. It’s crucial to call a technician immediately if you suspect track misalignment to prevent further damage.
- Incorrectly-Placed Arm: The garage door arm, consisting of two metal components, connects the garage door opener to the door. If installed incorrectly, it can cause the door or rail to flex, resulting in considerable damage.
- Missing Strut: Struts strengthen the garage door panels, making them more rigid. They help the door open and close smoothly, reducing the risk of buckling or bending.
- Inadequate Lubrication: Many metal components in garage doors move against each other and require regular lubrication. Proper lubrication is essential to minimize friction and reduce wear and tear.
- Excessive Weight on the Door: Overloading your garage door with heavy objects, whether it’s storage items or debris, can lead to bending or warping over time. Make sure not to exceed the weight limit recommended for your garage door.
- Neglected Regular Maintenance: Failure to perform routine maintenance, such as inspecting for loose bolts, damaged panels, or worn-out parts, can lead to garage door issues. Regular maintenance checks can help identify potential problems before they worsen.
- Spring Issues: Garage door springs have a significant impact on the door’s balance and operation. If the springs are damaged, worn out, or improperly adjusted, it can cause the door to bend or warp as it struggles to open and close evenly.
- Humidity and Moisture: High humidity levels or exposure to excessive moisture can cause wooden garage doors to absorb water, leading to swelling and warping of the door panels. Proper sealing and maintenance of wooden doors are essential in humid environments.
- Age and Wear: Garage doors, like any mechanical system, have a finite lifespan. With age, the materials may weaken, and components may wear out. Older doors are more prone to bending and warping due to the natural aging process.
- Improper Installation: If the garage door was not installed correctly in the first place, it can lead to structural issues over time. A poorly installed door may not have the necessary support or alignment, causing it to bend or warp.
- Foundation Settlement: Changes in the foundation or settling of the ground beneath the garage can affect the alignment of the garage door. When the foundation shifts, it can lead to the door becoming uneven and bending as a result.
- Vibration and Harmonic Resonance: Certain mechanical components in the garage, such as nearby machinery or appliances, can create vibrations that resonate with the garage door’s natural frequency. Over time, this continuous vibration can contribute to bending or warping.
DIY Garage Door Maintenance
Maintaining your garage door is essential to avoid jams, buckling, and bending. Here are some steps you can take to prevent the need for constant repairs:
- Wipe down all components, paying extra attention to moving parts. Remove any accumulated grease or debris.
- Lubricate the hinges, tracks, springs, rollers, and bearings with garage door spray lube.
Depending on your model, you may also need to grease the chain or the screw drive.
Hinges: Use a silicone-based spray lubricant on the hinges. Apply a small amount to each hinge pivot point to ensure smooth movement.
Tracks: Apply a garage door-specific lubricant or silicone spray to the vertical and horizontal tracks. Make sure to clean any dirt or debris from the tracks before applying the lubricant.Springs:Garage door springs should be lubricated with a silicone-based or lithium-based spray. Focus on the coils of the springs and ensure they are evenly coated.Rollers: Rollers should be lubricated with a garage door-specific lubricant or silicone spray. Apply the lubricant to the ball bearings on each roller.
Bearings: If your garage door system has bearings, use a lubricant designed for bearings. Apply it to the bearing surfaces to reduce friction.Chain or Screw Drive: Depending on your specific garage door opener model, you may need to use a lubricant recommended by the manufacturer for the chain or screw drive. Some openers have self-lubricating components, so be sure to check your opener’s manual for guidance.When lubricating these components, it’s essential to use the appropriate lubricant for each part. Avoid using general-purpose oils or greases, as they may attract dust and debris, causing more harm than good. Additionally, do not over-lubricate; a little goes a long way. Excess lubricant can drip onto the garage floor and create a mess.Regular lubrication of these components, typically performed annually or as recommended by the manufacturer, will help keep your garage door operating smoothly and extend its lifespan. - Ensure that hinges are tight.
- Clean the outside of the door using diluted household detergent.
- If you have a wooden garage door, seal any cracks or openings with caulking.
Remember that attempting to repair your garage door yourself can lead to more significant issues. If any component gets broken or damaged, contact a trusted garage repair service as soon as possible.
Give us a call!
If you’re experiencing issues with your garage door or want to prevent it from bending, don’t hesitate to reach out to Overhead Door Company of Huntsville/North Alabama™. Our expert technicians are ready to help you troubleshoot your garage door and ensure it operates smoothly and safely. Contact us today at [Your Phone Number] to schedule a consultation and keep your garage door in top condition.
If you’re dealing with a bent garage door, make sure not to overlook this informative article. It’s filled with valuable insights that can help you identify the issue and restore your garage door to its optimal condition. For more in-depth information on various garage door-related issues and troubleshooting tips, visit our Troubleshooting Guide on our website.
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Planned Maintenance Program
Regular maintenance is the best way to extend the life and functionality of your garage door. The Overhead Door Company of Huntsville/North Alabama™ team understands that you have a busy life, and routine maintenance calls aren’t top-of-mind concerns for you. We offer a planned maintenance program, so you don’t have to worry about it.
With our planned maintenance program, a technician periodically visits your property to inspect your garage door and ensure it’s in good working condition. A technician can spot minor issues and make small adjustments before they become costly problems.
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