Dealing With Damage To Your Garage Door As A Result Of An Accident
Posted on: 17 April 2020
Garage doors are durable and can withstand a lot, but if you hit the door with your car or the door comes down on top of the vehicle, damage can occur to the panels that can make the door stop working. If you have an accident with your garage door, there are some things you should check before using the door again.
Inspecting Your Garage Door
If you have hit your garage door with your car, you need to take some time to look over the door. The impact on the door, no matter how light, can cause the panels to bend on the door. If the panel bends, the door may bind in the track, pulling the hardware out of the wall.
If the track pulls loose, the other panels can be damaged as they try to conform to the bend in the metal track. The hardware on the door can also get pulled out of the panel as a result of the stress on it, and several panels may need replacing.
Repairing the Door
Hiring a garage door company to come out and fix the door is the best way to go. The door technician will take a look at the damage and remove any parts that need replacing from the door. In some cases, that may mean replacing some of the panels, and if the door is older or has a specific design on it, the panels can be challenging to find.
The metal tracks that the door rollers ride in need checking as well. If the tracks are bent, the tech may be able to straighten them, but if they have broken loose from the mounts that hold them to the wall, they will need replacing. The tracks support the entire weight of the door as it opens and closes, and if the tracks fail as the door is overhead, someone could get hurt or your car could sustain damage.
If your garage door has an automatic door opener on it, it is a good idea to have the tech check the opener and hardware as well. The door shifting from the impact of the collision may cause damage to the opener track and hardware on the door opener. The opener is heavy, so it is crucial to make sure that it is secure and that everything is working correctly.
Billing and Insurance
You will need to contact your insurance company and report the collision if you want them to cover the damage. Keep in mind that if you were driving the car, you might need to claim it on your auto insurance, but if the accident happened while the vehicle was parked, the homeowner's insurance might cover it. Check with them both to determine where to file the claim.
To learn more, contact a garage door repair company.
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