How to Fix A Bent Garage Door Panel

Even the smallest accident can result in unsightly damage to your garage door panels. If the damage isn’t too severe, you may be able to repair the damage before calling in a professional for garage door repair.

In this article, you will discover how to fix a bent garage door panel.

How Do Garage Doors Get Bent And Dented?

It’s easy to dent your garage door without even meaning to touch it. Garage door companies say they often get calls from homeowners when they’ve accidentally backed their car into the door, or driven into it when they’ve parked too close to the door. It’s so easily done, it’s worth knowing how to fix it just in case.

Dents and bends will also happen if you get bad weather in your area. When there are hailstones, they can get heavy enough to dent your garage door. Dents can also happen when debris hits the door in a storm, such as tree branches.

Dents will be mostly out of your control, so knowing how to fix them is a good idea. If you’re unsure though, you can always call in a professional to help you.

Here’s how to fix a bent garage door panel.

How To Fix A Bent Garage Door Panel

There are several ways you can fix the bend in the garage door panel. Here are some of the best fixes available to you:

Hammer out the bend: One of the most simple fixes you can do is hammering out the bend in the door. If it’s a simple dent, then this shouldn’t be too hard to do. You’ll need a 2X4 of wood, and a rubber mallet. Place the wood on the distended side of the door, and tap it with the hammer. Keep at it, and this should hammer the dent out.

Fill in the dent: If the dent isn’t too bad, you could fill it in to make it look smooth again. You’ll need to sand the dented area down, and then use a mixture of auto body filler with a hardener to fill in the gap. Smooth it down and sand it again once it’s dry. Paint over the door to blend it in, and the door will look as good as new.

Replace the panel: If it’s just one panel that’s been dented and you can’t hammer it out, then the best thing to do is to replace the panel. In this instance, it would be best to call the company that installed the door for you. They’ll be able to bring a new panel and get it installed for you, making the door as good as new.

Replace the door: If the damage is too severe to consider repairing, it may be time to replace the door. A garage door service professional will assess the damage and provide this information when providing a quote for the repair. There are a variety of garage doors and styles available today, including contemporary, carriage, and modern garage doors.

If you want to explore your options from home, take a look at our garage door designer to get started.

What if the Door Won’t Close?

Depending on where the bend is in your garage door, it may be stopping it from closing. This is a problem as if your garage is left open, then it poses a security risk for your home. If this is happening to you, there’s no need to panic. If the dent isn’t too bad, you can manually shut the door until you can get it fixed. Don’t use force when you do this, or you could damage the door and the garage door opener. If you can’t get it shut, then you’ll need to call out a garage door repair professional as an emergency. They’ll take care of the door for you, to ensure your home stays safe.

Even if it’s after normal business hours, this shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll be able to call someone out to help you, but be aware that they may charge extra for an ‘out of hours’ callout. You can check their website first, to see what their normal business hours are.

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Other Easy Garage Door Fixes

It’s not just the garage door panels on your garage door that will need mending from time to time. There are plenty of moving parts, and knowing how to mend them will save you a lot of headaches down the line. Here are some fixes that you can do when they need to be addressed:

Fix the garage door springs: Your garage door springs are what help your door open and close every time you use it. They’re guaranteed for a certain amount of uses, and after a while they will start wearing out. You can change them out yourself when they start looking worn, but it’s best to be careful. If you’re not sure, call an expert.

The opener isn’t working: There are several fixes that can help with this, depending on what’s wrong with the opener. First of all, check the batteries in your remote. It sounds simple, but it could be that the batteries just need changing. Next, check that the motor unit hasn’t been unplugged or disconnected from the power. Also, check the sensors, and ensure that they aren’t blocked or otherwise stopping the door from working.

Cracks and gaps around the door: This is very common with wooden garage doors. If you’re seeing gaps or cracks in your door, you can fill them in with sealant. If the gap is bigger, you can use trims and garage door thresholds to seal up those gaps when the door is shut.

The door keeps opening: If your garage door shuts then opens again right away, it may think that there’s something blocking the door. Again, you’ll need to check the photo eye sensors to ensure they’re not blocked or dirty.

With these tips, you’ll be able to handle any dent that’s in your garage door. Accidents happen, but you can take care of them before they can get any worse.