5 Signs You Need a New Garage Door in Fort Worth

garage door in fort worthYour garage protects all kinds of useful and sometimes valuable things. Cars, bikes, tools, toys, gardening supplies, and maybe plastic bins of memorabilia and other stuff you can’t yet bring yourself to let go of.

No matter what is in your garage, without a reliable garage door, those items aren’t going to stay safe for long.

Worse, garage doors that don’t work properly pose a safety risk. This is such a real and tragic concern that in 2016, the U.S. government updated safety standards for automatic garage door openers.

Better safe than sorry, check out these 5 signs that you need a new garage door in Fort Worth.

1. Noisy Operation

A garage door that creaks, scrapes, or rattles when in operation can be an early sign that something is wrong.

Do you hear unusual noises when opening or closing the door? There could be a track misalignment or mechanical issue within the motor, spring, or drive chain.

Mechanical issues are serious, especially those that involve the spring. If it fails, the garage door can crash down without warning. That can cause damage to your car. But worse is that it’s dangerous for people and pets.

If the noise persists and the equipment is still under warranty, contact whoever installed the door and/or opener.

If there is no warranty, you might want to find a different professional to service your garage door in Fort Worth.

2. There Are Gaps When Closed

Are you noticing water, leaves, or small critters in your garage? Can you see slivers of light at the bottom when the door is closed?

These could be signs of warping if the door is made of wood or vinyl.

Of course, it could also be the result of settling or erosion where the door meets the ground.

In either case, be sure to tend to the situation as soon as possible to keep your garage secure.

There’s another benefit to fixing gaps: energy savings. The temperature of your garage has a direct impact on the temperature of any adjacent rooms.

Excessive and constant streams of air getting into the garage can affect the cost of keeping the house temperature comfortable.

3. Dents, Cracks, or Holes

Does your garage door in Fort Worth look like it’s been behind the catcher in a baseball game?

Weather can be tough on wood doors. Wind and rain cause paint to fade and crack. Soon, moisture and small bits of debris get into the wood itself.

It can be tempting to putty over cracks and repaint wood doors. But spot-fixing and repainting a garage door has drawbacks.

First, it’s a lot of work. You need to strip the old paint, patch the damage, then apply the standard two coats of exterior paint.

But more important is that new paint can add significant weight to a door. In turn, that can affect the spring and performance of the garage door and opener.

A better option in terms of time and long-term value is a pre-painted steel garage door. This is also true if your vinyl garage door is showing signs of age with various dings, dents, and scratches.

It’s not just aesthetics that make this a worthwhile choice. According to the 2017 Cost vs Value Report from Remodeling, homeowners in West South Central U.S.A. recoup 68%-84% of the cost of a new garage door in resale value.

4. It Doesn’t Always Work

An undeniable sign that it’s time for a new garage door is that it doesn’t work. Or only works some of the time.

Many times, it’s the sensors for the automatic opener that are at the root of the issue.

In normal operation, the door should start opening within a second or two of pressing the opener button. A delay could mean the sensor isn’t working as it should.

Check to make sure nothing is blocking the sensor. Also, ensure it’s free of dirt or not physically damaged.

Next, check for loose connections. If a sensor has been knocked out of alignment, it may not receive signals all the time.

If no DIY checks and repairs work, contact a professional to fix your garage door in Fort Worth.

5. It’s Out of Date

Poor safety and functionality are the most common kind of signs pointing to repair or replacement of a garage door. But the door’s style can also be a sign.

If you repaint or replace your front door and windows but not your garage door, it’s going to look outdated.

Many times it’s not just the color that makes it stand out in a negative way. The material can also reflect a garage door’s age and outdated style.

Most contemporary garage doors come in a variety of materials. And the range of styles is wider than ever before. Bright colors and more windows are two garage door trends that help homeowners improve the curb appeal of their house.

Finding a New Garage Door in Fort Worth

Garage doors are an important feature of your home. In many cases, they’re one of the first things people see when they look at your house. They also need to be safe and secure.

When looking for someone to replace your garage door, be sure to hire a professional company that will stand by its work.

At Alamo Door and Gates, we have two decades’ of experience and satisfied customers behind us.

Our 24/7 emergency service has helped countless homeowners get a good night’s sleep, knowing their garage door is secure and operating properly.

We also do non-emergency assessments, tune-ups, and installations 7 days a week, from 7am-7pm. Working to suit your schedule is an important part of our commitment to quality service.

If you have questions or need a garage door in Fort Worth or Arlington, Bedford, Euless, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Hurst or Irving, give us a call today!

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