Even though most garage doors are made out of very strong steel these days, that does not mean that they are invincible. After time, sections can begin to sag or bend when opening and closing the garage door. If this is not caught and remedied in a timely manner, the problem will only get worse. This is also true for any outside damage that could have been caused to the door by it being hit or punctured by a car or other object. Dents, small tears and rips can grow quickly, and can cause the door to stop operating altogether.
The way that we remedy this situation, if caught early enough, is by adding a support strut. A support strut will add the rigidity to the panel necessary for the door to run smoothly. Struts are generally 2″ wide pieces of sheet metal that are molded and run the length of the garage door.There are also other purposes for a support strut. All doors with mechanical garage door openers should have a strut on the top panel. This strut prevents the top panel from bending under the force of the opener pulling on it.
damage too severe to be helped by a support strut
Although struts are available for purchase to homeowners, that does not automatically mean that this should be a DIY job. Besides needing the knowledge of where to put the strut and how to attach it correctly, it is essential to know how the added weight is going to affect the door. The door will need to be rebalanced after the struts are added to ensure proper functionality. If bending or sagging is occurring, a strut can buy you some time, but it is important to know that it is a temporary fix. Eventually the door or panel will need to be replaced, especially if the problem has gone ignored for too long.
