How To Fix Bent Garage Door

How To Fix Bent Garage Door
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: February 13, 2022
  • Updated On: August 21, 2023

Garage doors necessitate much upkeep. The installation and repair of a garage door necessitate patience and attention. It’s a significant investment that must be protected.

It’s critical to understand how the various components of your garage door operate. It’s critical to distinguish between what needs professional attention and what you can fix yourself. If you have an automatic garage door, this is very vital.

Garage door panels can also be damaged by falling storms, falling debris and other natural disasters. You shouldn’t need to hire a professional to fix a bent garage door panel if the damage is modest.

Most of the time, repairing a bent garage door is straightforward and quick. So, you can also fix your garage door yourself by following the discussed steps and points:

Is It Easy To Fix A Bent Garage Door?

In most cases, the door should open and close smoothly. When operating the door, the panel can bend, causing it to lag. It’s a prevalent issue that many people overlook.

However, a detailed examination of the garage door may reveal a little bent that is the source of the garage door’s malfunction. If your garage door bends, it might also harm the track and rail.

Fortunately, you can fix a garage door panel. It must, however, be done properly. You can learn how to mend a bent garage door panel on your own, but even a minor misstep might result in significant harm. So, it’s advisable to get it checked out by an expert.

If your area has poor weather, dents and bending will occur. Dents can also occur when storm debris strikes the door, such as tree branches. Dents will be out of your hands for the most part, so learning how to repair them is a good idea. However, if you’re unsure, you may always hire a professional to assist you.

Steps To Fix A Bent Garage Door

As previously stated, it is preferable to entrust the repair of a bent garage door panel to a specialist. But if you insist on doing it yourself, here’s how to mend a bent garage door panel quickly. Each of these choices is a viable alternative.

1) Inspect The Door To Assess The Type Of Damage

Take a few moments to examine the damage. To see if the garage door will run smoothly, run it through a few loops. If the damage isn’t too severe, you can use steel struts to fix the door.

Steel struts prevent the door from closing, breaking the door’s cycle. This is a simple and surprisingly cost-effective solution if you don’t need a door or even a single panel.

This may not solve aesthetic issues, but those of us who can’t stand looking at a broken garage door without shuddering will feel compelled to purchase a new panel for the damaged area.

2) Use A Hammer To Get Rid Of Bends

A hammer can readily repair a small dent in the panel. To straighten a dent, use a hammer. A tiny bend in the garage door panel can be repaired with a wooden mallet. Place the mallet behind the section that has to be straightened. After that, carefully tap the dented area with the hammer.

Make sure you don’t hammer the door’s bend side. If you strike your garage door from the inside, the woodblock should be placed outside the bent garage door.

Only use a hammer to correct the dent if all other options have failed. The crack may widen if you use too much force. Even if the dent is removed, the area is already weakened, and another bend is almost certain to form in the same location.

3) Install A New Panel

It may be as simple as replacing panels to repair the garage door dent. Call your original garage door installer to determine if your particular make and model is still available. After that, have a professional examine the property to evaluate the extent of the damage. A replacement job should be completed in a matter of hours by a specialist.

You may need to borrow, rent, or purchase some tools in addition to the cost of the replacement panel. When you add up the costs, you’ll probably discover that repairing yourself is more cost-effective than hiring a professional.

4) Use Suction Cups

Suction cups are another option for repairing a damaged garage door panel. This is one of the more recent techniques that specialists are employing. It’s best for minor dings. If your door is entirely constructed of metal, suction tools may be effective.

The suction tools are applied to the dented portion of the panel, and the pressure straightens out the damaged segment. Remember that this method only works for minor dents and would be useful if your vehicle collided with the garage door panel. The fact that the task can be accomplished in a matter of minutes is a benefit of this strategy.

How To Fix Cracks And Gaps Around The Door?

Wooden garage doors are prone to cracks and gaps. If your door has gaps or cracks, sealant can be used to patch them in. If the gap is larger, you can fill it with trims and garage door thresholds when the door is closed.

The springs in your garage door are what allow it to open and close each time you use it. They’re guaranteed for a specific number of usages, and they’ll start to wear out after that. When they start to look worn, you can replace them yourself, but it’s better to be cautious. If you’re unsure, consult a professional.

Conclusion

Even without a major hit from an automobile, garage door panels can be readily damaged. When you try to close or open the door, slight damage to the panel can cause it to stop moving smoothly. It is critical to address the issue as quickly as possible. Leaving the problem neglected will further strain the garage door system’s other components.

These solutions can help you deal with any dents in your garage door. Accidents happen, but you can handle them before they become more serious.

Avatar photo
Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

New Garage Door Installation Guide: From Selection to Setup, Everything You Need to Know

Starting the process of choosing and installing a new garage door is a crucial step in improving the appearance and use of your house. It’s not ...

Read more New Garage Door Installation Guide: From Selection to Setup, Everything You Need to Know