As long as your garage door works properly, you probably don't think about it very often. You might use it several times every day, but it just goes up and down as needed. You should, however, be aware that like most other parts of your house your garage door does need upkeep from time to time, whether a repair because of immediate damage, general maintenance if parts have become out of alignment over time, or perhaps an upgrade which will provide a convenience for you.
Typical Damage Over Time
Garage doors face a heavy task and do need some upkeep. The motor can burn out, or the cables, springs, or chain can break. The rails can come out of alignment, as can the safety feature which prevents the door from closing if something is blocking it. Although these aren't intense repair jobs, there are tricks to conducting them efficiently and they require a professional garage door specialist to do them right the first time instead of spending days tinkering with it until it's right.
Storms and Weather
Repeated heavy storms and bright sunlight can cause damage over time to a door, or an especially heavy storm with either sleet or hail can cause an immediate problem. Often, such damage can be taken care of with a fresh coat of paint, but it's also likely the door may need to have dents and dings repaired with filler. Further damage from winds associated with such storms can be that the rails are knocked out of alignment or the wheels have come out of the tracks.
Accidents and Collisions
Accidents and collisions can cause worse damage to a garage door, whether the door is bumped by a car or by children who may play in the driveway. The repair can be as simple as re-aligning the different moving parts of the system, or may require a complete replacement, depending on the nature and extent of the damage.
Because of the precise measurements and tolerances of a garage door system, it is recommended to hire a professional garage door specialist such as Door Power to conduct repairs. It's also a good idea to have the door inspected annually so any problems can be determined and fixed before turning into a more expensive repair. With proper care, your garage door will look great and perform well for years to come.