What Causes A Garage Door To Bend?

The last thing you need on a busy morning is for your garage door to stop working. Without regular maintenance, a garage door can begin to bend, warp, or sag. When this happens, it’s only a matter of time before the door stops working, and you’re stuck with a potentially costly repair or replacement. Knowing the causes of a sagging garage door may help you prevent it in the first place. Here are six of the most common causes of a warped garage door.

an old bent garage door

1. Poor quality. Inexpensive garage doors made from flimsy metal are more prone to bending than doors made from durable aluminum, steel, vinyl, fibreglass, or glass. Having a reputable door company install a new garage door made of high-quality materials should ensure your entrance operates without problems for years to come. We supply only the best garage doors from reputable brands like Wayne Dalton.


2. Extreme weather. Canadian storms can be harsh. Snowfall during a winter blizzard can place tremendous pressure on a garage door. Heavy winds during a summer storm can also stress out your door. If you notice one of the panels is damaged or bent after a storm, you may not need to replace the entire door. Contact a reputable garage door professional to see if the panel can be replaced.


3. Misaligned tracks. Garage door tracks guide the rollers to open and close within the door frame. If the tracks aren’t perfectly aligned, it’ll place stress on the door, causing it to bend. The door can also get stuck and buckle when you use it. In extreme cases, the door can come off its tracks completely, so it’s best to call a pro immediately for a garage door repair if the tracks are misaligned.

steel garage door closeup of bent and broken tracks


4. Improperly installed arm. The garage door arm typically consists of two metal pieces. One piece connects the garage door opener to the door and is shaped like an “L.” If the door arm was installed in the wrong direction or at a bad angle, the door or the rail might bend, causing significant damage.


5. Missing strut. Struts make the garage door panels more rigid. They’re long metal rails that attach to the inside of the panels. If you install struts, the door can open and close more smoothly and with less buckling or bending.


6. Lack of lubrication. Garage doors have many metal components that move against each other, requiring regular lubrication. Rusty or dry machinery that grinds or squeaks needs some grease to reduce friction and give your ears a welcome break from the annoying noise. A little lubrication may be all you need to improve your garage door's function.

extremely bent garage doors after extreme wind storm


DIY Garage Door Maintenance

Maintaining your garage door is key to preventing bending, buckling, and jams. Here are some things you can do to avoid a costly repair or replacement. Visit a Creative Door Services™ location near you for replacement parts and accessories!

  • Wipe everything clean, paying special attention to moving parts. Remove any grease or debris that’s built up.

  • Using garage door spray lube, lubricate the tracks, rollers, hinges, springs, and bearings. Depending on your model, you may also need to lubricate the chain or the screw drive.
  • Tighten the hinges.
  • Wipe down the outside of the door. A household detergent diluted with water will work well.
  • If you have a wooden garage door, seal any cracks or gaps with caulking.
  • Replace any broken or cracked weatherstripping.

If you still have problems with your garage door after taking these steps, Creative Door Services™ offers some troubleshooting tips.

Planned Maintenance Program

Regular maintenance is the best way to extend the life and functionality of your garage door. The Creative Door Services™ team understands you have a busy life, and routine maintenance calls aren’t top-of-mind concerns for you. We offer a planned maintenance program, so you don’t have to worry about it.

When you sign up for planned maintenance, a technician periodically visits your property to inspect your garage door and ensure it’s in good working condition. A technician can spot minor issues and make small adjustments before they become costly problems.

brand new installed wayne dalton garage doors in white with yellow trim

Garage Door Installation, Maintenance, And Repair In Western Canada

At Creative Door Services™, we carry only the brands we believe in and sell only the highest quality garage doors that are made to withstand Canada’s harshest weather. We also install, maintain, and repair your garage door so it’s done right the first time.

We have eight locations across Western Canada. You’ll find us in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Contact us today to learn more about our selection of garage doors and ask about our installation and repair services.

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