Did you spot a crack in your garage door? This is a very common problem, but the solution isn’t as straightforward.
Cracked garage door panels may not seem like a big problem until they branch out into massive damage. Before you know it, you already need a garage door replacement, which can be avoided by being proactive with repairs.
If you’re dealing with this problem, we have a few solutions below that you can use. Read on and see which one will get you the best results:
Causes of cracked garage doors
Cracks can occur on your garage door panels for a variety of reasons. It can be due to wear and, accidents, and so on. Here are the most common scenarios that cause this damage:
- Wear and tear. Your garage door components aren’t made to last forever. Over time, it will sustain natural wear and tear, which will lead to cracks, chips, and total damage.
- Extreme temperatures. Is your garage facing direct sunlight during the hot summer months? Or is your area getting intense winters? All these extreme temperatures will cause your garage door panels to expand or contract, which will eventually cause cracks.
- Impact. Many of us are guilty of garage fender-benders, which can cause severe cracks or dents on the door panels. Aside from that, large objects in your garage can also lead to similar damages.
- Structural issues. If your garage has a shifting or settling foundation, the uneven surface will put too much strain on the garage door. Initially, this will manifest as cracks on your door panels and operational issues over time.
- Material quality. Is your new garage door having cracks too early? This might be a sign that you have a low-quality door. This is a common scenario among homeowners who cut corners when getting door replacements.
- Natural disasters. Some causes of garage door cracks are out of your control, including hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and so on. Worse, they are as destructive as they are unavoidable.
How to fix a cracked garage door
Regardless of the cause, immediate garage door crack repair is necessary to restore the structural integrity of your door. Below, we provided some tips based on the material you’re working with:
Fixing cracked wooden door panel
Wooden garage door panels are the easiest to fix in case of cracks. You can simply fill tiny cracks with fillers and glue to prevent them from getting bigger. After that, give it a quick sanding and touch-up paint and you’ll barely see where the damage was.
However, if the cracks on your wooden garage door are already extensive, you should consider replacing the affected panel/s instead.
Fixing cracked vinyl door panel
Cracked garage door troubleshooting isn’t as easy if you have a vinyl material. Cracks easily spread on vinyl panels and often require a panel replacement. While you can glue small cracks on vinyl material, it will eventually rip open as strain is placed on the door whenever you open and close it.
To replace a door panel, you first need to disengage your garage door from the opener. Also, make sure that you remove the tension spring to avoid any accidents.
When placing the new panel, you should align it properly to prevent damaging the other parts of your garage door. You can use a bubble level to check the alignment of your panels. After that, you just have to screw the hinges back, reconnect the springs, and test your door.
Fixing cracked metal door panel
You can repair cracks on metal garage doors, but the result will vary, depending on the exact type. For light-gauge metals like aluminum, repairing a crack could be as difficult as with vinyl. But if you have steel, you can try to weld it, but the results are only as good as your skills.
In this case, you’re better off installing struts on the inside of your garage door to prevent the cracks from worsening.
While the struts won’t fix the cracks, it will stop it from spreading. This can give your door a few more years before it requires a replacement.
However, you should know that when you install struts, you’ll have to upgrade your springs to support the additional weight. So to skip the guesswork, we suggest that you contact a garage door repair in Los Angeles to get the job done correctly.
Professional vs. DIY garage door crack fixing
When it comes to cracks or any damage, it’s always best to call a professional garage door repair. This way, the cracks will be fixed properly or you can get panel replacements when needed.
But to be fair, minor damages like tiny cracks can be handled with DIY work. It can help you buy time before your next repair, but it’s not a permanent solution.
While professional repairs cost a fee, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your garage door is in tip-top shape. In the long run, it would be cheaper than doing repetitive DIY repairs that could potentially make things worse.
Also, some garage door cracks are not just superficial. It could be due to a more complex problem like poorly aligned tracks, shifting foundation, or poor door installation. All of these are best fixed by a licensed garage door technician.
Expert tips to prevent future garage door cracks
While wear and tear is unavoidable, you can still delay cracks and other damage to your garage door. Here are some tips that we recommend:
1. Observe regular maintenance
Repairs aren’t the only time you should call a garage door professional. You should at least request an annual inspection to see if your door’s components are still in good shape and what needs to be repaired or replaced. This way, you won’t be surprised by an untimely door problem.
Aside from professional servicing, you should also lubricate all the moving parts and tighten loose screws on your garage door. This way, you can avoid small problems from causing bigger damages later on.
2. Ensure proper installation
If you’re getting a new or replacement door, see to it that you hire a legitimate garage door installer. This is to guarantee the quality of installation and prevent premature cracks and other damages.
Although professional installation costs more than DIY work, it will save you a lot of hassle later on, especially on busy days. On top of that, you’ll get a warranty to protect your new door from specific damages.
3. Practice caution when driving
You should be extra careful when entering or exiting your garage. Make sure that your door is fully open before you hit the gas pedal to prevent hitting your door and causing expensive damage.
Aside from that, you should watch your door whenever you’re lifting heavy or bulky objects around. That way, you won’t accidentally hit it and cause cracks.
4. Invest in quality door panels
When getting a new garage door, you might as well invest in a durable option. This way, your door can service you for years before it starts to sustain cracks and other signs of wear and tear. Buying quality door panels now will save you from repetitive repairs, which is more cost-effective in the long run.
5. Clean your garage door regularly
Your garage door is exposed to a myriad of outdoor elements like dust, rain, snow, pollen, and so on. If not cleaned regularly, these elements will accumulate and damage your garage door, especially if you have steel panels.
With this, you should make it a regular habit to clean your door, including the tracks, rollers, and its opener (if you have one). Aside from preventing cracks, keeping your door clean will also delay the onset of corrosion.
6. Insulate your garage door
Sudden and intense temperature changes are leading culprits to cracked garage door panels. To prevent this, you should get your door insulated even before summer or winter comes.
You can opt for a DIY insulation kit or call a professional to install the insulation for you. Just make sure that you factor in the weight of the insulation and adjust your springs accordingly.
7. Protect against pests
If you have wooden garage door panels, you have to be careful about pests like termites and rodents. They not only cause cracks; they can also eat through your door panels.
With this, you should seal any entryways where rodents can enter your garage. You should also remove or seal any items that will attract pests to your property. Lastly, consider treating your garage door foundation with a chemical barrier to prevent wood-eating insects from getting inside.
Conclusion
Garage door cracks are very common but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do repairs immediately. Depending on your door type and the extent of damage, you should consider calling a professional garage door technician to fix the problem. This way, you can also request for your entire door to be inspected for potential issues.
Like any garage door damage, prevention is always the best way to go when it comes to cracks. With this, you should always practice proactive maintenance, observe proper driving habits, and only trust reliable garage door companies.
