Most doors are opened and closed at least twice a day. Over 5 to 10 years that is thousands of times up and down. Tracks can get out of line. The door will get dents or take on damaged. The springs supporting the door can break. The electric opener may start to malfunction or stop working. Then you need to look at garage door repair vs replacement.
In some locations, garage door replacement may require a permit from your city or county. That is because improper installation may result in serious injury. Some locations may require a professional who is licensed with the state. Check your building department in your location to be sure.
There are two main types, solid doors made of one piece and those made of four or five sections. Both types may have insulation. Things You Should Not Do During A Hurricane Check your door to see if it has an open back exposed to the garage. If it does then this is not insulated.
Other difference include having glass windows on the top portion of the panel or the next to the top panel if you have a multi-section type. Both types may have vents on both sides of the lower panel near the floor. In general the sectioned type is easier to repair. Remove the damaged section and replace.
One problem with sectioned types and replacing one or more sections is finding an exact duplicate. If your model is out of date, or no longer in production you might have to buy a whole new apparatus.
If your tracking is out of line you might be able to tighten bolts holding it. If it was installed professionally, this could resolve any problems. If the track is still out of line, there may be dents or the metal bent some where along the track. If the track is obviously bent they need to be replaced to assure smooth and safe operation.
The mechanism that opens and close the door sometimes needs adjustment. Adjustments on the opener mechanism may be all that is required to make the car portal open and close correctly. You should consult the owners manual. Sometimes you can download the manual from the manufacturer’s website. If an adjustment doesn’t work the mechanism may need to be replaced. Replacement is not trivial. You may need to use a trained professional who has the proper know how and tools to install.
If the springs are worn or broken, this can pull the whole portal out of alignment. Single panel portals have two heavy springs on either side. Sectioned portals have a spring coiled around a bar or pipe at the top. They can be dangerous and difficult to replace. Consider contacting a professional.
Let us consider options for garage door repair vs replacement. For replacement there are local companies that will price installation with purchase. Otherwise you need to assess what you are currently dealing with. If you have only one or two problems, say one panel is Anatomy Of A Garage Door dented and the track is loose, repair is an easy course to take. If the number of problems is over say three, as a rule of thumb, replacement is a better option. Remember these are heavy, powered devices. Talking to a professional before deciding is a wise course.