The sudden thump of backing into anything with your vehicle is something no one wants to hear. However, backing into your garage door isn’t all that uncommon. You can follow these simple steps to safely deal with your garage door and avoid worsening the damage.
1. Check to See if Everyone Is Safe
First things first, make sure that everyone is safe. Check to see if anyone was around the garage door when you hit it or if they might have been affected by any parts that broke off.
Backing into your garage door is likely to be a very low-speed collision. However, even a minor jolt can cause injury. If anyone in the vehicle has any neck or back pain, they should visit a doctor or the emergency room to be safe.
2. Inspect Backed Garage Door Damage
If everyone is alright, it’s time to look at your garage door. Unfortunately, even a well-built garage door can take plenty of damage from having a full-size vehicle back into it. The extent of the damage will often depend on the specific type of garage door.
A wood garage door can take a lot of punishment, but if you cause serious damage, it may cost more to repair. A steel or vinyl panel garage door may dent or deform easily, but you might only need to replace one panel for it to be as good as new. Consider the hardware as well, as the impact can affect rails and other components.
3. Try the Manual Override
Depending on how hard the garage door has been hit, it may not open properly. If you usually open the garage door manually, don’t try to force it if it’s stuck. The same is true for trying the garage door opener over and over if you’re only getting slight motion.
Go inside and check the manual override. Most garage door openers have a cord hanging from the motor to disengage the trolley. You can then use the cord to open the garage door unless there are also damages on the rails or other components.
4. Reach Out for Professional Garage Door Repair
If you find damages on your garage door, then you should reach out for professional repairs. Don’t try fixing it on your own, as springs can be under dangerous tension, and other parts can be dangerous when broken as well.
You can count on Larry Myers Garage Doors for repairs and service for any type of garage door. Contact our team today to get the repairs you need as soon as possible, no matter the cause of the damage at hand.