Even healthy garage door springs can make a good bit of noise when they're working properly, so sound alone is not a solid way to diagnose the health of your springs. The springs on the door are separate from the opener, so there are a few ways that you can test to see if you may have a problem with the springs themselves.
The Garage Door Doesn't Fully Open
If you press the button to open the garage door with your garage door opener and the door only opens a couple of inches before closing again, you may have a problem with your springs.
A faulty garage door opener and a worn or broken garage door spring can both produce very similar issues, such as a difficulty opening and closing the door smoothly. This can make it hard for many homeowners to tell whether it is time to replace their garage door opener or if they need to have a professional contractor come out and replace their spring. Thankfully, there is a simple test that you can perform to help distinguish between these two common issues so that you can take the appropriate steps to correct the problem.
If it's time to replace your garage door, you have a few options to consider. Garage doors come in a variety of styles, and they are made from different materials such as wood, steel, and vinyl. Vinyl offers several advantages over other materials, and it is worth a close look. Here's why you might prefer a vinyl garage door.
Low Maintenance
If you like to spend your weekends traveling, shopping, or playing sports instead of working around the house, then you'll appreciate the very low maintenance requirements of a vinyl garage door.
If you have recently noticed an area of your wood garage door where there is a small hole or crack, you may be able to make a repair to it instead of having the entire wood panel replaced. Smaller blemishes are not that difficult to repair and should be able to be done on your own with the help of some household tools. Here are some instructions for you to use when doing a wood garage door repair on your own, possibly saving you the cost of replacement.
Fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels cause your wood door to expand and contract. Over time, this can lead to the development of small cracks and holes that can have a huge impact on the way your door looks. While you may assume that eliminating this problem will require costly repairs or the purchase a brand new door, the truth is, this type of minor damage can typically be repaired on a DIY basis in a single weekend.
