Supporting The Top Section of Your Garage Door

One of the most common service calls we get is to fix or replace a bent or buckling top section. Nearly every time, there are two reasons for this problem: the opener is hung to high, and the door does not have a strut. Supporting the top section of your garage door is crucial in preventing what could end up being very expensive service call. If the top section is not supported, it can bend until it has eventually bent in half. If this happens, the bent section, or even the entire garage door, would need to be replaced.

Problem #1:

Lets talk more about how the opener is hung. When the door is in the open position, the opener should hang 1-2 inches above the door. If the opener is hung too high, the bar arm that pushes the door down is at too much of an angle. When this occurs, the bar pushes down instead of forward, causing the center of the top section to bend and buckle. If this problem is not corrected, the top section will get ruined and need to be replaced. Lowering the opener is an easy fix. Call us at Anderson Garage Doors and we will be happy to help!

Problem #2:

Every garage door’s top section needs to be supported by a reinforcing metal strut. The strut runs the entire width of the top section. It’s easy to install and is fairly inexpensive. You can purchase struts from your local garage door dealer and install them yourself or hire a professional. Keep in mind that putting struts on your garage door does change the weight of the door, which means the springs will need to be changed out or adjusted. This is a problem that you shouldn’t procrastinate getting fixed. The longer you wait to support the top section of your garage door, the more likely you’ll encounter extensive problems that can end up costing a lot.

Too late?

Some of you may already be to the point of replacing the top section. Garage door sections are not universal. Each manufacturer and model have slightly different patterns and colors. It is important that you determine the manufacturer and the model number, which can usually be located on a sticker on the side of the section. If you are unable to get this information, give Anderson Garage Doors a call and we will come identify the type of door you have. This is a free service. You can also send us a picture of your door through text or email. Most of the time we can get you a matching replacement section, but in the case that the door is no longer available or the color has faded, you will need to purchase a new door. We can help with that also.

Supporting the top section of your garage door is usually an easy and inexpensive fix, but when left ignored you are headed for some major problems. Check your opener level and make sure the top section has a reinforcing strut and you should be good to go. We are here to help so just give us a call or send us an email for any of your garage door needs!