It’s easy for a dent to happen in your garage door, even if you’re always careful with it. If a dent does happen, you don’t need to despair. Most of the time, it’s very simple to repair the problem and have it look as good as new again. Repairing a dented garage door panel is a quick and easy process and lucky for you, doesn’t require you to be an expert around tools.
Common Causes of Garage Door Panel Damage
There are many ways that your garage door can get dented, even if you’re taking care when you use it. Like everything in your home, accidents can happen to the door, and dents can appear. If you know how a door can get dented, you can minimize the impacts and amount of dents you have to deal with.
- Weather: Inclement weather is the biggest reason you see dents in your garage door. High winds can blow debris into the door, hailstones can dent it, and even snow can lead to denting. When this happens, the dents can lead to a weakening of the garage door. That can, in turn, lead to buckling and further repair work, so it’s a good idea to try and address this head-on before you have to pay for those extra repairs.
- Accidents: The other main cause of dents in your garage door is accidents. There are so many times when a dent can be made by accident. If you misjudge the space between your car and the door, that can lead to dents. If your kids play around the door, a mistimed ball or Frisbee can easily dent the door too. Also, an object left in the door’s path can damage the panels if it’s not spotted in time.
Should I Replace or Repair My Dented Garage Door Panel?
The important question is, can you put it right once you’ve spotted damage to the garage door panel? The good news is that in some cases, you absolutely can make repairs to the panel and make it as good as new. In some cases, you can even do the repairs yourself. This depends on the materials your garage door is made of. Some dents can quickly be hammered out if it’s a steel or aluminum garage door.
If you have a wooden door, it’s going to be harder to do, but you can repair small dents. Want to know if you can repair the dent yourself? Try opening and closing the garage door. If the dent is small enough, it won’t impact the mechanism, so it’s small enough to handle yourself. If there are any problems opening or closing the door, then that’s a sign you’ll need to call in the garage door experts to help you.
DIY Dented Garage Door Panel Repairs
You can repair a dent in your garage door in many different ways. It’s always up to you to use your best judgment when making repairs, so think about whether you’re comfortable with attempting them. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to call an expert to help you. These are two of the most common methods for doing a DIY repair:
Hammering the Dent Out
This repair job is fairly easy to do and only needs a few tools you likely already have. Firstly, you’ll need soap and water to clean the dented area. Once it’s washed and dry, you’ll need a wood block and a mallet. Hold that wood block against the dent, and tap it until the dent is now level with the rest of the door.
Heating the Panel
This is another common method that you may have seen recommended for car door panels. It’s just as good for your garage door, too. Again, you’ll start by washing the panel in soap and water. Once it’s dry, stretch out some aluminum foil over the dent. The next step will need to be done quickly, so be sure you’re ready to do it all in one go. You’ll next heat the foil with a lighter for around one minute.
Once you’ve done this, take the foil away quickly and then use a can of compressed air on the dent for one minute. At this time, the dent should ‘pop’ back out. In this repair method, the carbon monoxide generated from the heating and cooling will get that dent to pop back out. If you do one or both of these methods and you’re still not getting the results that you were hoping for, then it’s time to call on a professional to help you out.
Replacing the Panel
Your garage door won’t be written off just yet. Instead, that panel can be replaced so you can still use your garage door without worrying about the dent in it. If you weren’t able to repair the dent yourself, or it’s too severe to repair, then you don’t need to worry. This is a job that a professional should handle for you. They’ll unbolt and slide off the panels in your garage door until they get to the one that’s dented.
This will be removed, and replaced with a brand-new panel. This is bolted into place, and the other panels are back on and secured again. Once the panel is in place, it can be painted to match the rest of the garage door. That ensures your door looks good as new, there’s no risk of further damage from the dent, and you’ll be able to improve your home’s curb appeal.
The Bottom Line
If your garage door gets dented, it’s not something that you need to worry about. You act quickly, either by doing that DIY repair or by getting a professional to handle it for you. Once you’ve fixed the dent, the garage door will look as good as new, and you’ll avoid any further damage from being done. If your garage needs maintenance or repairs, Your Garage Door Guys are ready to help! We are available in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.