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Damage to any part of your home will happen over time and more likely in the places where you spend the most time or in areas that you use often. Places like your garage door tend to get more use than your front door as many people, when leaving for work or coming home, love the convenience of using a garage door to access their home easily.
With this consistent and constant use, it’s no surprise that the wear and tear over time can cause your garage door to malfunction or break at some point in your home ownership or renting a home. Although maintenance can help prolong the life of your garage door, every door has a lifespan, and its bound to happen.
When your garage door breaks, it’s essential to schedule repairs or a replacement as soon as possible. For most repairs, you’re going to want to have a professional garage door specialist come out and take a look at the problem and make the repairs as needed. A defective door that sits unrepaired can be hazardous and make your home vulnerable to intruders. The safety of your home and the people within are of the utmost importance.
The costs of repairing a garage door can cause homeowners to hesitate to call a professional, thinking they should try the repairs themselves. Attempting repairs on your own can be dangerous and requires specialized tools to get the job done correctly. You may be surprised to hear that repairing a garage door isn’t as costly as you think. This article will detail what goes into repairing a garage door and the costs that you can expect as a homeowner.
How Much is it to Fix a Garage Door?
There are a lot of factors that can impact the cost of fixing your garage door. The size of the door and the type of repair that needs to be done are just two factors that professionals consider. For many garage door repair services, the average garage door repair cost can be between $150 to $375. The price can be extremely reasonable in terms of repairs, especially because a garage door repair should never be managed as a DIY project.
Types of Garage Doors
Although having a good idea of what the average cost to repair a garage door is, many factors can change the pricing. The type of material that makes up a garage door can be a major factor in the cost. Garages can be made of aluminum, fiberglass, steel, and wood. Here’s what you might expect to pay based on material alone.
- Aluminum Garage Door – One of the least expensive garage door materials to replace and are a popular option among homeowners. Aluminum doors can be dented easily, and the average cost of repairing an aluminum garage door range between $200 and $600.
- Fiberglass Garage Door – The average cost to repair a fiberglass garage door ranges between $150 and $500.
- Wood Garage Door – Wooden garage doors can be one of the more expensive garage doors to repairing as the average repair ranges from $250 to $1000. A wooden garage door looks more elegant and goes well with any style of home.
- Steel Garage Door – Steel doors are becoming increasingly more popular as a more modern choice for a garage door. The typical cost to repair a steel door ranges between $250 and $700.
Common Types of Garage Door Repair Elements
Most garage doors function similarly regardless of the type of material they are made from. Most of the repairs you will need on your garage door will be on parts and mechanisms that keep your garage door functioning properly. These are the common types of garage door repairs you can experience over time.
Panel – The panel on your garage door is one of the larger and more major repairs you may experience. Finding an exact match can be challenging and is essentially trying to replace a large portion of your garage door. The standard cost for a replacement panel varies greatly based on availability and material and can cost between $150 and $1,500 for the part and $250 to $500 for labor. Homeowners often opt to replace the garage door if it makes more financial sense.
Window – For the garage doors equipped with windows, a broken window is a pretty affordable repair. The average cost of repairing a broken garage door window averages between $15 and $50, and labor cost is low as it’s a quick repair.
Roller – Rollers are a crucial element of a garage door as they are the wheels that control the smooth movement of an open and close for your garage door. Repairing these can average about $90 to $200.
Track – The track for your garage door is the metal sides that control the door as it slides open and closed. If you notice your door sticking or jerking as it’s moving, you may have a bent or damaged track. The cost for this type of garage door repair averages about $125 to $400.
Dents – Many modern garage doors are made of fiberglass, aluminum, or steel and can be susceptibly to dents. The average cost of repairing a dent in a garage door is between $125 and $300.
Noisy Door – If your garage door is making a noise like grinding or squeaking, it may be a simple solution to add lubricant to the door and checking to see if any debris is stuck in the track.
Cables – Garage door cables can cost an average of $85to $200 to repair and should be handled by a professional. If you hear screeching or whining noises, it may be the cables that need to be repaired. Maintenance on the cables is fairly routine and should just be kept lubricated to avoid strain on the opener.
Chain and Pulleys – The pulley and chain system, if not working properly, can cause your garage door to lift unevenly and make strange noises. You will likely pay between $85 and $160 to replace the pulleys. The chain can cost an average of about $100 to $200.
Garage Door Sensors – Your garage door sensors are surprisingly affordable, with an average cost of $85 to $100. The sensors in the door if damaged, can prevent the door from stopping even if someone or something is in the way. It’s an issue that should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent damage to property or injury.
Garage Door Opener – The garage door opener can malfunction over time and may need to be repaired or replaced. If you notice your garage door opener isn’t functioning as it should, you should have a professional come and check it out. The average cost of repairing a garage door opener is around $100 and $190 plus parts. A total replacement can cost around $300 to $500. Many garage door openers are manufactured to last between 10 and 15 years.
What is the Cost to Repair Garage Door Springs?
A broken spring is one of the most common types of garage door issues. A broken spring occurs over time due to wear and tear or if the garage door has not had regular maintenance. Springs have a limited lifetime and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. If your garage door doesn’t open evenly on both sides, open up all the way, or won’t stay up, you likely have a broken spring.
Two types of springs in a garage door could need to be repaired.
Torsion Springs – Torsion springs are mounted horizontally over the garage door opening, and as the door lowers, the torsion springs twist. The energy stored in the torsion springs is released when the door moves up. Replacing the torsion springs costs, on average, $200 to $300 for a replacement.
Extension Springs – Extension springs stretch and compress and are the most common type of springs found on garage doors today. The replacement cost average around $50 to $100 to replace.
Garage door springs are built to lift and lower the garage door, which can carry a lot of weight. Repairing and replacing the springs in your garage door on your own is not recommended and can cause serious injury and even death.
Garage Door Preventative Maintenance
You can extend the life of your garage door by keeping to a regular maintenance schedule. With routine maintenance, you can reduce the likeliness of accidents and damage to your garage door and save on repairs. You can have a professional come out at least twice a year, or you can perform the maintenance on your own to save money. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your garage door in working order.
Listen for Noises – Your garage door should be relatively consistent in its noise as it moves up and down the track. If you hear an odd noise like grating or screeching, it’s a good idea to check it out. You can do this maintenance every time you use your garage door.
Tighten Screws and Hinges – Over time, screws and hinges can begin to come loose. Take some time at least twice a year and thoroughly ensure the visible screws and hinges are tight.
Test Sensors – Your sensors are responsible for halting your garage door if there is anything or anyone in the way. If your sensors fail, it could be dangerous, and you want to ensure they are in working order. Place something in the way of the door after opening your garage and check to see if the door stops when it gets to the object when you close it.
Clean the Tracks – The tracks can collect debris and begin to rust over time. Dust the inside of the track and ensure there are no dents. Lubricate the tracks with a specialized spray to ensure the door continues to move smoothly but doesn’t slip too fast.
Inspect the Rollers – Check out the rollers and look for any chips or cracks. If there is any wear, you should replace the rollers to ensure your garage door is functioning properly. You should replace the rollers at least every five years.
Check the Pulleys and Cables – You can check on the pulley and cables, but you want to ensure to leave them as they are. If you see any wear and tear, you will want to get a professional to come and take a look and make the necessary repairs.
Replace Weather Stripping – The weather stripping prevents the elements from leaking into your garage. Check the weather stripping and repair them as needed.
Inspect the Door – The visual inspection of the door should include looking for peeling paint, rust, dents, and other damages. Repaint as needed and remove any rust that you feel you can do on your own. The visual inspection is a good time to clean the door.
Test the Door Balance – Testing the door balance is essential to ensure the door is working correctly. You’ll want to release the door from the automatic opener first. Once you’ve released the door, open it manually and let it go when you reach the halfway point. If the balance is good, the door will stay in place without dropping.
Replace Batteries and Light Bulbs – Light bulbs and batteries will go out over time. You can replace the batteries or light bulbs as often as needed.
What if the Garage Door Needs to Be Replaced?
Although it’s rare to experience a catastrophic loss of an entire garage door, it can happen. These types of incidents are caused by accidents such as a car accidentally running into your garage door, environmental disasters like storms, and more. Knowing what to expect when your garage door is at a total loss is always a good idea.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional to Repair Your Garage Door
Your garage door is an important part of your home, and you want to ensure it stays in working order. Many garage door elements require specialized equipment to replace and repaired properly. If you attempt to do the repairs on your own, you could risk further damaging the garage door or causing yourself or anyone in your home injury or death. Having a professional work on your door is important if it stops working for any reason.
If you want professional help to repair a broken garage door, Local Garage Repair can help you with our unmatched fast and friendly service. Call us today at (323) 924-8777 to schedule your service.
