You Just Backed Into Your Garage Door; Now What Do You Do?
Backing into the garage door with your car is not as uncommon as one might think. Garage doors are tough, but if you hit your door, you need to check out the situation and determine if you need a door company to come and make repairs.
Inspect the Damage
The first thing you need to do after hitting the garage door with your car is to take a look at the door, the frame, and the tracks. If the collision bends a panel, you will more than likely need a replacement. The track that the door rides in is also an area of concern. Check it for twists or warping before you try and move the door.
If your garage door has an automatic door opener, check the track and brackets that connect the door to the opener as well. Damage to the opener is not very likely but it is a good idea to check it while you are looking over the situation.
Open the Door Carefully
If your car is still inside the garage, it is a good idea to see if you can open the door manually and get the car out of the garage. Depending on the amount of damage, the door will still open and close, but be careful opening it, because there is a chance the door could come off the track or bind when you are opening it.
Do not use the door opener to try and force the door open. If the door does bind, the motor in the opener could overheat and suffer catastrophic damage. If the door seems to move okay and then binds part way up, the opener could pull the door off the track, which further complicates the situation.
Call a Garage Door Company
You may be tempted to try and fix the door yourself, but it is better to call a garage door company and have them send a professional technician out to assess the situation. Even if the door looks like it only has damage to a door panel or two, the potential for damage to springs, cables, and rollers is a concern.
The door track may not be square anymore and fixing the door may require parts and adjustments that are not as simple as they appear. If the track needs adjusting, getting it square and aligned properly to the door is critical to the smooth operation of the door. If the door binds even a little, it can cause the door to not open or close fully, creating a security and safety risk for you and your family.
The technician can give you an estimate of the cost to repair the door while they are there. A single panel on the door may not cost much, but if there is damage to several panels and the tracks, you could be looking at a greater amount of money to repair the door.
Call Your Insurance Company
Call your homeowner's insurance company after the collision and ask them about coverage for the damage to the door. In most cases, the insurance will cover the damage but the cost of the repair may be less than the deductible, so take that into account before submitting your damage claim.
If there is damage to the car as well, you may want to call your car insurance company and see if they will cover the car repair. Coverage will depend on the company, but many companies will cover damage like this.
Edelen Door & Window can help you repair the damage to your garage door and get your door working properly again. Out technicians are proficient with door repairs and are happy to come out and complete repairs from worn seals to full door replacements. Give us a call and we will come assess the situation right away.
