It’s relatively common for homeowners to neglect their garage doors. As long as the door opens and closes on command, there’s no reason to think twice about it. Like all mechanical features, though, garage doors break down over time. If you ignore the earliest signs of trouble, it could lend to costly garage door repairs down the road.

How to Know When Your Garage Door Needs Repairs

1. Strange Sounds

The best garage doors on the market emit barely more than a whisper when opening and closing. If your door is at least a few years old, though, some creaking is normal. Squealing, grinding, popping, and rumbling, however, are not. Depending on the source of the noise, it may be a simple fix, like lubricating various components, or it may be necessary to repair or replace the opener altogether.  

2. Delayed Responses 

As long as the system is operating at full capacity, the door will respond immediately to your commands. If it takes more than a second or two to start the requested operation, there may be an issue with the door or the opener. Taking an excessive amount of time to complete the process—or starting and stopping along the way—is also indicative of an issue. 

3. Sagging Sections 

If a portion of the door looks like it’s sagging, it means it's out of balance. If left unchecked, this can cause uneven wear on the springs until the overworked one eventually snaps. Naturally, this will put excessive strain on the rest of the system. If you don't repair the broken spring promptly, it could lead to total system failure because the opener will be under considerable stress every time it operates. 

For prompt and reliable garage door repair, turn to MP Garage Doors. Based in Dothan, AL, and serving homeowners throughout the Southeast Alabama Tri-State area, they’ve been in the industry for more than 25 years. Their knowledgeable team is equipped to install, maintain, and repair doors and door openers. To explore all their services, visit their website. To schedule repairs, call (334) 793-2089 today.