Springs, Cables and Rollers
Springs, cables, rollers, hinges and opener parts wear out with use and get replaced on their own, as long as the sections and the frame are sound.
DASMA, the door makers association, notes that a spring's service life does not have to match the door's. A sound door can go through more than one set of springs. We carry the common springs, cables and rollers on the truck, and most repairs booked before 2pm are done the same day.
Replacing One Panel
One damaged section can be replaced when the maker still produces a matching one for that door. On an older or discontinued line, the color, texture and panel profile are hard to match, and a mismatched section stands out more than the dent did.
When several sections are damaged, warped or rusted, replacing them one by one takes about as much work as a new door, and a new door is usually the better choice.
Signs a Door Needs Replacing
Wood that is soft or swollen in the bottom section needs a closer look, especially once it spreads to the next section or around the hinge screws. Rot usually goes deeper than it looks from outside.
Steel that has rusted through, usually along the bottom edge, lets in water and keeps rusting from both sides. Surface rust can be cleaned and treated.
A section that is warped or twisted, a bottom section that will not sit flat however the seal is adjusted, or sections bent enough to bind in the track put uneven load on the cables, rollers, springs and opener. Replacing those parts does not fix a bent door.
Openers Made Before 1993
Since January 1, 1993, every opener sold in the US has had to include a second way to stop and reverse the door, almost always photo eyes near the floor. An opener without them should be replaced whatever you decide about the door. We check this on every tune-up.
What We Look At
When we assess a door, we look at whether the problem is one part or the whole structure, whether matching sections are still made, how often the door has needed repair lately, and whether it still balances and seals.
DASMA's inspection checklist treats the door and the opener as two separate things, and lists springs, cables and bottom brackets as parts for a trained technician.
Get a Free Estimate
We look at the door, tell you whether it needs a repair or a replacement, and give you the price before any work starts. The estimate is free.
Common Questions
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a garage door panel?
When the maker still makes a matching section, replacing one panel is usually the smaller job. When several panels are damaged or the line is discontinued, a new door is often the better choice.
How long should a garage door last?
There is no set number of years. A door is done when the sections are rotted, rusted through or bent, or when it no longer balances or seals.
Can you replace just one garage door panel?
Yes, if a matching section is still made for that model. On older or discontinued doors the color and texture are hard to match.
What are the signs my garage door is beyond repair?
The usual signs are rotted wood spreading through a section, steel that has rusted through, a section that is warped or twisted, and damage across several sections.
Do I need a new garage door if only the opener is broken?
No. The opener and the door are separate, and a failed opener is replaced on its own. An opener made before 1993 without photo eyes should be replaced.