Rolling into the garage door can be a frustrating and upsetting experience. Many drivers naturally become upset with themselves when this happens. Under the circumstances, it’s hard to make the right choices.
Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of this type of problem, and how to deal with broken garage door panels, can help you take care of your garage door and avoid further damage.
Stop the Car, Assess the Damage
In the moments immediately following an accident involving impact with your garage door, your first priority should be to not panic. Panicking can lead you to make choices that could cause more damage to your door.
Put on the brakes, and if you need to, sit for a moment to calm down. Breathe deeply and naturally. Put your vehicle in park and turn it off. If you live in a home with a steep driveway, engage the parking brake to prevent the car from rolling any more.
When the car is turned off and in park, get out to assess the damage. Most of the damage can probably be found on the bottom garage door panel, which is likely dented badly.
Go into the garage and check to see if the garage door rollers are still on their tracks, and there’s no obvious damage to the cables and springs. If the only damage appears to be found on the bottom panel, turn on your vehicle and slowly back away from the door.
Test the Door
Once the vehicle and the garage door are separated, you may try opening the garage door with the automatic door opener. Stand back from the door about eight feet when you’re doing this. If the door makes a terrible noise, or if the door won’t work, it’s time to call a repair person. Stop the door and stay away.
If the door opens and closes without trouble, the next step is to replace the broken panel on your garage door.
Call for Repair
It’s important to hire a capable garage door repair person. When you’re looking for someone to repair your garage door, consider their reputation and how long they’ve been in business. If you decide to replace your garage door, check references before signing a contract.
Know When to Replace
Is your garage door more than fifteen years old? Was more than one panel damaged? If so, then replacing your garage door may be more efficient than repairing your garage door. Talk to your garage door repair person to find out what they recommend.
Replacing Your Garage Door Panels? Call the Experts
At Overhead Door Company of Fayetteville, we help homeowners like you repair or replace their garage door or broken garage door panels. Call today to find out more.