But any rationalization or justification is seldom needed in such cases because there is a large element of truth to these statements – accidents do happen and few things will last forever. This concept can also be applied to the lifecycle of such garage door parts as:
- Springs and cables
- Hinges and rollers
- Automatic Openers
- Sections or panels
Due to their exterior exposure, garage door panels often face situations or conditions that will cause them to break and therefore need to be repaired or replaced. The types of circumstances that may lead to broken garage door panels can include:
- Simple aging
- Lack of regular maintenance
- Weather-related damage
- Warping, cracking, decay
- Mold and mildew formation
- Freezing-and-thawing cycles
- Impact-related damage
- Vehicle contact
- Baseballs or hockey pucks
- Wind-blown debris
- Inadvertent dents and scratches
Depending on the extent of the damage, and maybe the age of the garage door as well, homeowners will be faced with the dilemma/decision to either replace the entire door or replace the broken panel only. This decision may largely influence the cost of purchasing and installing a new garage door versus the cost of the labour and the materials needed to repair/replace any or all the panels.
For an assessment of the pros and cons of both options, homeowners may wish to call upon the knowledge and experience of professional garage door installers such as Markham Garage Doors.
Replacing Broken Garage Door Panels Requires Intricate Skills And Experience
Should a decision be made to replace one or more of the broken garage door panels, there are a number of intricate steps that need to be performed in a specific sequence. Due to the complexity of these repairs, it might be advisable to utilize a professional service.
The process for removing and replacing broken garage door panels consists of:
- Buying the appropriate replacement panels from the door manufacturer
- Lowering the door to the closed position
- Unplugging the automatic garage door opener (if applicable)
- Removing the spring or springs to relieve all tension from the garage door
- Making room to lift out the broken panels by removing the top panel
- Detaching each broken panel from adjacent panels and the guide track
- Replacing the broken panels by reversing the steps outlined above
- Re-finishing the entire door (if required) to ensure uniformity with all panels
Although all of the panel removal and replacement steps can be intricate or delicate in nature, the most potentially hazardous/dangerous steps likely relate to the removal and reinstallation of the garage door springs. There is a significant amount of tension/torsion stored within these springs and, to prevent possible injury and/or collateral damage, any adjustments should be left in the hands of skilled and experienced professionals, such as the team from Markham Garage Doors.
Accidents and wear-and-tear are common causes of broken garage door panels. If your garage door has one or more broken panels, call the specialists at Markham Garage Doors today at (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667to discuss your options for a fast and affordable solution.