Fixing a Garage Doors When Hit by a Car
Introduction:
Perhaps you woke up late this morning. You did not have time to have coffee or brush your hair. Or you are in a bad mood because your kids have spilled food on the table. You finally gather your thing and get in the car. You are in a rush to get your kids to school or yourself to work. And when you are reversing the car, you hear bam.
You forgot to open the garage door in a hurry and accidentally backed into the garage door. And now there is a big dent in your door or maybe it is held by a hinge. For a few minutes, you won’t be able to understand because of anger. But after you get in your sense, what can you do to fix the garage door?
Other common types of accidents happen in winter. Due to snow your car drifts very easily. So, when you try to turn into your driveway, your tire might slip and cause you to drift into your garage door. There are hundreds of ways in which you can potentially harm your garage door.
So, when the damage is done you will be thinking about the solution. ‘what can you do to fix it?’ will be the question running in your head. This guide has potential to answer all your questions regarding this issue.
What if I just backed into the garage door?
It is dark outside and coffee has not kicked in your system yet. You sluggishly get in your car and all you hear is bam. You hit the garage door frame with the car. Now you are very much awake but do not be discouraged because as per professionals, it is very common for homeowners to run into their garage door and it happens all the time.
If you do not have any knowledge of garage doors then call a professional and let him look at the damage. Because the garage door is a 16 feet tall wall that can harm you. So, it is better to have an expert fix it. Moreover, you can do more damage by trying to fix it yourself.
How to assess damage all by yourself?
The most common type of garage door accident is when you hit the bottom half of your garage door by a car. This is the spot that is hit by most of the cars. So, if you have an electric garage door opener then you can lift your door completely.
On average, your garage door can lift up to 360 pounds. But you should not lift that much weight on a daily basis. So, if you want to take a close look at the damage then take your car at a safe distance from your damage garage door.
- Before opening the garage door to take your car out, make sure you thoroughly assess the situation.
- Check if the rollers are in their track and attached to them properly.
- Make sure all the cables are aligned. Do not touch the lifting system because it consists of cables that can snap and hurt you. The lifting cables, springs and brackets are high tension parts. These parts have the weight equal to the whole garage door.
- If the damage does not seem bad and all the cables are intact then lift the door open and park your car away.
- Once your car is at safe distance then test your garage door opener. Make sure you are at least 8 feet or 2.5 meters away.
- Press the button on your remote and check if your garage door is opening.
- Is the door is making any kind of noise or checking if certain parts are moving or not. If any of the opener parts are not moving then immediately unplug the opener.
- And cut it off from any electrical supplies.
What if the door completely comes off the track?
If your garage door has completely come off the track then there is nothing you can do without the expert. Just do not touch anything without the help of a professional. And it is advised to call the same company that has installed your door because they will know a better way to fix it.
Should I call my insurance company?
If you have completely damaged your door then it is advised to call your insurance company and claim your insurance. If the garage door has accidentally closed on your car then you have to call your car insurance company. Your car insurance won’t cover the damage that happened to your garage door and vice versa. Make sure you read the insurance policy carefully because if it is taking too much out of your pocket then it is not worth opening the insurance claim.
What will be the repairing cost?
The repairing cost depends upon the damage that has been done to your garage door. If you have hit your garage door by your car and now you are calculating ‘how much is to repair a garage door hit by a car?’ then it depends how bad is the condition of your garage. For example, if your garage door has completely come out then it takes 2.5 hours to re install the door.
If you have to fix one or two sections then the price will be 4 sections divided by four. But the highest cost you have to pay will be of labor. So, if your door has been completely broken then the professional will need to uninstall the damaged old and install the new one which will make the cost go up.
Conclusion:
If your garage door has been completely destroyed then do not lose hope because this is the place where you can redesign your garage door and look for a better option. And if it can be repaired then until it is repaired do not go near it or even try to fix it on your own.