Everyone has been in that awkward position when the garage door hits the car while you’re backing up. If a car hits your garage door, it can leave a lot of damage. If your garage door hasn’t been hit by a car, it could be the result of some other damage that you haven’t noticed yet. Either way, you should get the garage door looked at as soon as possible. The best way to avoid it is by doing a few simple things, and here’s how to fix garage door hit by car.
Causes of a Garage Door Being Hit by a Car
There are many reasons for a garage door hitting a car:
- A common reason the garage door was closed while the car was moving. It’s also one of the most frustrating ones.
- If your garage door is out of alignment, it will be difficult to open and close it, and it might even hit your car while it’s moving.
- Another common reason the garage door isn’t properly balanced. This can be caused by the spring being out of adjustment, or the door not being properly balanced when it was installed.
- Garage doors are large, heavy, and sometimes unpredictable. This is why they can sometimes hit a car.
- Lastly, the garage door opener may be thinking that your car is an obstruction, so the garage door will close.
Garage door repair is one of those home repairs that homeowners don’t want to deal with. But it’s an essential safety measure that protects your home from burglars and other criminals.
After a Car Hits Your Garage Door Check the Following Things:
When your garage door is hit by a car, inspect the damage carefully. It’s essential to do this from both the outside and inside of your garage. Inspect any broken or dented pieces of metal before trying to repair them. After all, you’d never want to risk a sudden collapse of the garage door! Check those things and then open the door:
Open the door
Open the door, if the springs are still in good shape. If the springs look damaged, then you’ll need to replace them. Once you’ve checked the springs, look at the tracks. If the tracks are bent, then you can try to straighten them with a hammer. Else you’ll need to replace them as well.
Check the sides of the door
Next, check the sides of the door for any damage. If the damage is on the side of the door that faces the street, then you’ll need to replace the door. If the damage is on the side of the door that faces the garage, then you can try to repair it. You can use a hammer to gently dent the metal back into shape. If the damage is too severe, you’ll need to replace the panel.
Check the sensor
Usually, the sensor is the first thing to go wrong. If it’s not detecting any obstacles in front of the garage door, then it will keep trying to open and close until something hits it. If the sensor is bad, then the garage door will keep trying to open and close even when there’s no object in front of it. In order to fix this problem, you’ll need to replace the sensor.
Check the hinges
Check the hinges on the door to make sure that they’re not loose and aren’t sticking. If they are, then you’ll need to tighten them. You can do this by removing the screws that are holding the hinges in place and then tightening them with a wrench. If the hinges are too loose, then the door will be able to swing freely and may hit the ground.
Secret Tips:
If your garage door is damaged by a car, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance company. If the door was moving, you should take pictures of the damage. If you can’t get a picture, you should at least take notes. You should also take photos of the damage to your vehicle. Your car insurance will probably cover some of the damages, but your insurance policy may not cover the entire cost. If the damage exceeds your deductible, you’ll have to file a claim under your homeowner’s insurance.
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9 Easy Steps for How to Fix Garage Door Hit by Car
You have been out for a drive in your car and unfortunately, you have hit the garage door with your car. Now that you are out of your car, you have realized that you can fix this garage door hit-by-car issue. So you have decided to do it yourself. These 8 easy steps will help you fix your garage door that was hit by a car:
Tools and Materials You Will Need:
- A screwdriver
- A wrench
- A level and
- Some screws.
Step 1: Clear the Area
Clear the area around the garage door so that you don’t interfere with the repair. Remove any objects that may be in the way and make sure that the area is safe. You will also need to remove any tools or objects that may be close to the garage door.
Step 2: Level the Door
Use a level to check if the garage door is level. If it’s not, then you’ll need to adjust the tracks. Level the door by adjusting the bottom track and the top track. You can do this by loosening the screws that are holding the tracks in place and then moving the tracks until they’re level. Once you’ve adjusted the tracks, you can tighten the screws.
Step 3: Empty the Spring
Next, open the door. If the springs are still in good shape, then you can try to straighten them with a hammer. After you’ve emptied the spring, use a hammer to gently dent the metal back into shape. If the damage is too severe, you’ll need to replace the panel. If the springs look damaged, then you’ll need to replace them. Once you’ve checked the springs, look at the tracks. If the tracks are bent, then you can try to straighten them with a hammer.
Step 4: Get the Broken Parts
You need to get the broken parts if any. You will find these parts on the floor or near the door. Pick them up and keep them safe. You may need to use them later. Broken pieces can be collected and replaced. If the door is beyond repair, you will need to replace it. If the door is only damaged on one side then try to fix it on that side.
Step 5: Replace the Parts
You’ll likely need to replace the sections of the door that were hit. The section nearest the hinges is most likely damaged, so you’ll need to remove the door panel and replace the part with a new one. If you can’t replace the entire door, you may be able to replace just the section that was hit. Follow the instructions that came with the new part to replace it.
Step 6: Close the Door and Test
Once you have replaced the parts, you can test the garage door to see if it works correctly. If it does not work, then you need to try the process again. If the door opens and closes correctly, then you can move on to the next then you’re done.
Step 7: Check the Door Again
Make sure that the door is closed and that the hinges are working correctly by checking the alignment of the door. You can do this by manually adjusting the alignment of the door using the screws on the bottom and top of the door. If the hinges are too loose, you’ll need to tighten them by removing the screws and tightening them with a wrench. If you’ve replaced the panel, you may need to adjust the alignment of the new panel.
Step 8: Clean Up the Area
Clean up the area as much as possible. Use a broom, mop, and bucket to clean up any clay or dirt on the floor and walls. If the garage door is not moving and the car was taken away, you will need to call a professional. After cleaning up the area, be sure to reposition the car and reset the garage door sensors.
Step 9: Enjoy Your New Garage Door
After all of your hard work and time, you should be happy with the results. You have the garage door fixed and you can get back to park your car or work in your garage again. It’s time to enjoy your new garage door.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Bent Garage Door Be Fixed?
Yes, a bent garage door can be fixed. There are several methods to repair a bent garage door panel. One method is to use aluminum foil. This material can be easily straightened using compressed air and heat. This method will take a few minutes. But be warned: it may not work in all cases. Also, the dented panel could affect other parts of the door. To avoid this, you need to take note of the springs and panel tension.
Will the Garage Door Stop if It Hits Something?
Yes, the garage door will stop working if it hits an obstacle. For this to happen, you must ensure that the safety sensors are working correctly. They need to have a clear line of sight between them to operate properly. If the line of sight between the sensors is blocked, the door will fail to close and will reverse itself. This will be indicated by flashing lights.
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Conclusion
So, if you follow those simple steps, you should be able to fix your garage door. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or comment down below. We are happy to help you in any way we can. Have a great day!
