Garage Door Repair & Services in Sumas WA

Garage doors can fail for many reasons, often due to a combination of mechanical wear, environmental factors, and lack of maintenance. Common causes include:

Spring Wear: Springs that help lift and lower the door can break or wear out from repeated use, making it difficult or impossible to open or close the door.

Opener Failures: The electric opener can malfunction due to wear, improper setup, or electrical issues.

Cable Problems: Cables that work alongside the springs can become frayed or snap, posing a risk of the door falling or failing to operate correctly.

Track Misalignment: Tracks that guide the door’s movement can become bent or misaligned, preventing smooth operation causing the door to get stuck.

Sensor Issues: Modern garage doors have safety sensors to prevent the door from closing if an obstruction is detected. Misaligned or malfunctioning sensors can cause the door to refuse to open or close.

Weather Impact: Extreme temperatures and moisture can affect the door’s materials and components, leading to warping, rust, or deterioration that prevents operation.

Neglected Maintenance: Lack of regular maintenance, like lubrication of moving parts and inspection of components for wear and damage, can lead to premature failure.

Addressing these issues promptly through maintenance and repairs can prevent garage door failures and extend the door’s lifespan.

Replacing a garage door can be challenging, especially for those without experience in home improvement projects of this scale. It involves precise measurements, handling heavy materials, aligning tracks, securing tension springs safely, and ensuring the opener and electronics are correctly installed and functioning. Due to the complexity and risks involved—especially with the high-tension springs used in garage door systems—it’s recommended that homeowners seek professional assistance for garage door replacement. Overhead Door repair professionals have the necessary tools, expertise, and knowledge to ensure the job is done safely and correctly. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your garage door has been properly replaced and installed by experts. 

Garage door panels last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, depending on the material of the door, the quality of the installation, maintenance levels, and the local climate and environmental conditions. Panels made of high-quality steel or aluminum may last longer, especially if they’re maintained and protected from harsh weather conditions. Wooden door panels might require more maintenance to combat wear from moisture and pests to extend their lifespan. Regular inspections, cleaning, and timely repairs to address damage or wear contribute to the longevity of garage door panels, ensuring they remain functional and aesthetically pleasing for many years to come. 

Fixing a cracked garage door panel is possible, but the best approach depends on the extent of the damage and the type of material the door is made from. For minor cracks, especially in wooden garage doors, the repair might involve filling the crack with wood filler, sanding the area smooth once dry, and then repainting or staining the panel to match the rest of the door. For metal doors, small cracks might be patched with an appropriate filler or welding, followed by sanding and repainting.

However, if the crack is large or compromises the structural integrity of the door, it may be safer and more cost-effective in the long run to replace the damaged panel or the entire door. In such cases, consulting with a professional is advisable to assess the damage and recommend the best course of action. They can provide insights into whether a repair will suffice or if a replacement is necessary to ensure the door’s functionality and safety.

Garage door panel prices can significantly differ based on the type of door, design intricacies, material quality, and whether the panel is off-the-shelf or custom-made. Metal panels, like steel or aluminum, are more budget-friendly, with prices ranging from $150 to $400 for basic models, and between $200 to $600 for insulated or specially designed panels. Wood panels, especially those crafted from premium materials or featuring custom designs, can start at $250 and go up to $700 or more per panel. Prices for panels of luxury or custom doors, made of materials like fiberglass, or glass can exceed these estimates. When calculating the total cost, factor in installation charges. To get a more accurate cost estimate on garage door replacement, reach out to us at Overhead Door in Sumas. 

These factors can contribute to the deterioration or destruction of a garage door:

Weather and Environmental Conditions: Extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, high winds, or excessive moisture can lead to rust on metal doors, warping and rotting on wooden doors, and general wear on all types of doors. Salt in coastal areas can also accelerate corrosion.

Lack of Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance like lubricating moving parts, tightening loose hardware, and checking for wear and tear can lead to premature failure of the door’s components.

Physical Damage: Accidents, like hitting the garage door with a vehicle or hard impact from sports equipment, can cause immediate and severe damage to panels, tracks, and other parts.

Improper Installation: Incorrectly installed garage doors lead to uneven stress on components, resulting in faster wear, operational issues, and potentially, early failure of the system.

Wear and Tear: Daily operation of the garage door leads to natural wear and tear on springs, cables, rollers, and hinges. Without timely replacement, worn parts can break, causing the door to operate improperly or not at all.

Pest Infestation: Wood garage doors are particularly susceptible to damage from termites, carpenter ants, and other pests that can weaken the structural integrity of the door.

Poor Quality Materials or Construction: Doors made from low-quality materials or those that are poorly constructed are more likely to succumb to the elements, physical damage, and wear and tear more quickly than those made from high-quality, durable materials.

Addressing these issues through regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and choosing high-quality doors suitable for your environment can help prevent the premature destruction of your garage door.

When a garage door spring breaks, it’s important to take immediate and appropriate action to ensure safety and prevent further damage. Here’s what you should do:

Don’t Attempt to Open or Close the Door: A broken spring can cause the door to become extremely heavy and unbalanced. Trying to manually open or close the door can be dangerous and may cause injury or further damage to the door or opener.

Disconnect the Opener: If your garage door is equipped with an automatic opener, disconnect it by pulling the emergency release cord. This prevents anyone from accidentally trying to operate the door with the opener, which could lead to damage or injury.

Secure the Area: Keep people and pets away from the garage door. A door with a broken spring can unpredictably drop or collapse, posing a serious risk.

Identify the Type of Spring: Determine whether your door uses a torsion spring system (usually one or two springs mounted above the door) or extension springs (usually two springs, one on each side of the door running parallel to the tracks). This information will be helpful when contacting a professional for repairs.

Call a Professional: Garage door spring repair or replacement should be performed by a qualified garage door technician. Springs are under high tension and require special tools and knowledge for safe removal and installation. Attempting DIY repairs can result in serious injury or further damage to your door. Contact us at Overhead Door in Sumas should you need emergency repair or replacement. We are here to help 24/7. 

Do Not Use the Door Until Repaired: Wait for a professional to assess the damage and replace the broken spring. Using the door with a broken spring can cause additional damage to the door, the garage door opener, and could potentially lead to personal injury.

Consider Replacing Both Springs: If one spring has broken and your door uses a two-spring system, we recommend replacing both at the same time. The unbroken spring will have experienced similar wear and may soon break as well.

Taking these steps will help ensure your safety and the longevity of your garage door system if a spring breaks.

Garage door springs should be replaced every 7 to 10 years, depending on their usage and quality. The lifespan of a garage door spring is measured in cycles, with one cycle being a single opening and closing of the door. Most springs are designed to last for around 10,000 cycles. If your garage door is used more frequently, it shortens the lifespan, needing replacement sooner. Regular maintenance checks can help identify potential issues but if you notice signs of wear or if the springs are nearing the end of their lifespan, it’s wise to proactively replace them to ensure safe, reliable garage door use.