 What comes to mind when you hear the words, "storm damage?" Most of us automatically think about assessing the damage to our property. The list usually includes: homes, cars, downed trees, and damaged power lines. What you don't find on the list until later is your garage door. Generally, it's not something people think of right away. That's why we're writing this article. When your garage or overhead door has been hit by hail, the damage may be greater than you initially realize. Living in Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle, the chance of volatile weather and hail is imminent.
When do you repair and when do you replace a garage door? Most contractors and insurance companies would have you believe, always repair, never replace. While that rule of thumb may work in your insurance company’s favor, it does not always apply. To make the wisest decision for your budget as well as your safety, you need to consider how your residential or commercial garage door functions. A garage door is designed to be lightweight and easily manipulated into a fully closed or fully open position. For this reason the doors are usually divided into four sections. You can repair minor damage. However, if hail or some other form of damage affects more than two sections or panels on the door, the door needs to be fully replaced. Considering that normal hail ranges in size from golf ball to baseball, a replacement is often times more cost-effective than repair. If the hail is pea or dime sized, it’s still wise to determine the damage. Repairs can also cause weak spots or flaws in the door that lead to later damage. On the off chance that you choose to take the repair route, get a guarantee of work from your contractor and a long-term policy from your insurance company. This will not stop future damage from occurring, but it will give you recourse. How is the replacement process handled? Unless you choose to cover the cost out-of-pocket, your insurance company will review and approve or deny your claim. The more evidence you have, the greater the chances of a claim approval. Take photos as soon as possible after the storm. Have a witness corroborate the level of damage done, and forward a formal affidavit to your insurer. Once a claim is processed and approved, the next step is to think about what kind of garage door works best to meet your needs and cover the expanse of space necessary. Installers recommend thinking about:
How do you avoid this type of damage in the future? Garage doors are only supported on two sides. According to the garage and overhead door experts at Willow Creek Overhead Door, an Amarillo garage door company, your best strategy is to get a reinforcement kit after your new garage doors are installed. These kits brace and anchor the doors at their center these points ensure that they are properly supported. Taking precautionary measures like these will minimize the possibility of future damage and add longevity to your doors. Whether your garage or overhead commercial door needs repaired or replaced due to a hailstorm, Willow Creek Overhead Door can help. This family-owned and operated company offers free estimates on repairs and installations so don’t hesitate to call them today.
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