Traditional garage door models are designed to close and open as simple slabs. They exist as individual structures sliding up and down or sideways depending on personal preference.
Conversely, modern garage doors have complex designs of multiple panels swinging in alternating twists during their opening and closing. In that case, a malfunction or structural damage on a modern-day garage door can be limited to one or more panels. Understanding how to replace a particular element could be a lucrative savings strategy in the long run.
A panel completes the appearance of your garage, and if it’s damaged over time from wear and tear or breakage, its appearance is distorted, giving an ugly look. Once you notice damage on your garage door panel, you can easily change it. It’s crucial to replace insignificantly damaged panels to prevent them from developing into more costly repairs. For more information, visit the Chicago Garage Door site.
Tips for Replacing Your Garage Door Panel
How do you replace a damaged garage panel? Here is a simple step-by-step guide to bridge the process for you. Once you recognize that your garage door is broken, the first thought should be to look for available replacement panels in the market. Once you’ve done that, assemble your tools and organize your garage. in your toolbox, tick off the following essential items before repair work commences: ladder, pair of scissors, spanner of the right size, screwdriver, hammer, protective goggles, power drill, vise clamps, knee pads and hand gloves.
Measure the Door Panel
It’s essential you measure the length and height of your door panel from each end. Standard measurements are 18, 21, and 24 inches and often run as whole numbers. The last measurement you need is the panel’s thickness. Standard thickness sizes are 1-3/ 8 and 2 inches. With appropriate sizes, you can precisely purchase a befitting replacement panel and avoid wasting money on one that won’t fit.
Uninstall Tension Springs
Garage doors vary in design. That means the manner you remove tension spring varies too. For some door panels, springs eject in the up position, different from the down position on others. Employing the up position when ejecting the tension spring helps disengage any stored tension.
In addition, it’s much safer to eject tension springs while the garage door is in the up position. Once nothing is holding it in place, the doors fall freely onto the ground. We suggest preventing your door from falling by clamping it, then slowly lowering it after fully ejecting tension springs.
Remove Damaged Panels
Locate the cables attaching the brackets between panels. Using a vise grip, secure the cables to the drums. Then, separate the broken panel from the one above by unfastening the hinge bolts that keep them intact. You can effectively achieve this by starting from the outside toward the center. If your panel is damaged from the bottom, remove the damaged section and put it aside. And if it’s the middle panel, you’ll have to detach the hinge bolts bridging it with the bottom panel. Once you’ve loosened the bolts, hoist the upper section away from the damaged panel, then lift and set aside the broken one.
Remove Old Tracks
Old tracks should be set aside before changing the garage door panel. First, ensure the rail is firmly held, then remove the brackets holding the tracks. Next, disconnect the operator and set aside the sensors. Disassemble the brackets and get rid of wires on the motor. When handling the task alone, place a ladder to support the motor.
Level the Doors
Ensure the frame can accommodate the replacement panel, then level the door. This is especially important before undertaking a bottom panel replacement. And by leveling the door, you’re making sure the new panels can perfectly fit the door. Does the concrete flow correspond well with the bottom of your garage doors? Check this using a compass; if not, fit it properly by trimming away and leveling the bottom. Mark a line and employ care to precisely trim the intended size.
Place the Weather Stripping, Brackets and Hinges
Weatherstripping completes the bottom of your garage door, and brackets, labeled R and L to avoid installation mistakes, attach at the bottom of the door. Hinges labeled by numbers to distinguish their position help hold the panels.
Change the Panels
This is your final step and must be performed with closed garage door hardware. Ensure you have your manufacturer’s manual present for proper instructions. First, set torsion rods in place. Subsequent panels should attach over the groove preceding ones. Additionally, the roller should slide underneath these panels.
Put these rollers in the correct position and firmly screw the tracks. Also, level the vertical and horizontal tracks properly, ensuring proper alignment on the garage door. Finally, test the door. After plugging in your garage door opener, try lifting the door. To this point, your hinges should be bending, smoothing, and the panels at the proper level with one another.