Owning a home of your own is a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Decorating, making new additions, planting a garden, and even making routine repairs are all part of the enjoyment.

Though the home maintenance efforts never end, it can sometimes be hard to know when a particular issue can benefit from a small repair or if a complete overhaul is needed.

Such is often the case when it comes to garage door damage. If you’re uncertain if your garage door needs a repair or a complete replacement, here are 5 things to take into consideration: 

1. Your Garage Door Has Become Slow-Moving

If you notice that your garage door has been moving more slowly than usual lately, it’s a pretty good indicator that something is in need of repair or replacement. The reasons for a faulty garage door could be due to any number of reasons.

One reason may simply be that the garage door has gotten old, and its age is affecting its performance. If you’ve had your garage door for many years and it seems to be barely hanging on, you’re probably due for a full garage door replacement. 

2. Home Maintenance Is Needed for Shaky and Jerky Garage Doors

Does your garage door seem to throw a fit when you go to open or close it? Does it shudder, shake, or jerk about? Any excessive movement is a sign of necessary repair, if not a full replacement.

Don’t delay calling a professional garage door repair specialist as soon as you notice excessive movement. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will become. A garage door that is acting up can pose a danger to your or your family, so it’s best to have it looked at right away. 

3. Your Garage Door Has Become Unstable

If the rollers that move your garage door are beginning to come off their track, this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Garage door rollers should never come off their track when it’s in operation.

Rollers that come off track can lead to your whole garage door falling off. If your rollers are wearing out or breaking, or if your lift cables are snapping, you might need some home maintenance in the way of garage door replacement. 

4. Your Garage Door Has Become Unbalanced

If your garage door has become unbalanced, it could be due to deteriorating springs that might snap under pressure. This can lead to your garage door sagging or failing entirely.

When trying to determine if your garage door has become unbalanced, start by shutting down the automatic opener and then manually close the door to the halfway point.

If your garage door won’t stay in one place and moves either up or down, you have a misaligned part on your hands. This requires repairs and possibly a full garage door replacement. 

5. General Disrepair That Has Become Too Expensive to Fix

Sometimes your garage door has more problems than one. Maybe it makes a lot of noise while also struggling to open and close properly. You might have loose or broken cords that all need to be replaced and a garage door opener that works as it should. Perhaps you’ve noticed an increase in your utility bills and your malfunctioning garage door is to blame.

When the home maintenance required to keep repairing issues with your garage doors surpasses the cost of just having it replaced altogether, it’s probably time to move on. 

Discover Other Useful Tips for Maintaining Your Home

Knowing when to replace your garage door is just one of many home maintenance questions you’ll have as a homeowner. Be sure to check out our other useful articles on all things house and home. Whether you’re looking to get your house ready to sell, settling in, or searching for a place of your own, we’re here to help!