[Last Updated:] December 5, 2024

Your garage door is one of the most noticeable and important components of your home’s exterior. That’s why, when you find yourself with a dented garage door, you want to address it as quickly as possible.

A dented garage door not only impacts your home’s curb appeal, but it can also cause functional issues that will affect the safety and security of your loved ones and belongings.

Learn why you should repair a dented garage door, how to know whether you need a garage door replacement, and ways to prevent damage from occurring in the future:

While a dented garage door may seem like a simple fix, attempting to repair a dent yourself can often lead to more damage.

It’s best to leave repairs to the professionals for the following reasons:

• Specialized tools and techniques: Repairing dents requires tools you won’t find in your standard toolbox. Professionals have the expertise and equipment to ensure a proper and effective repair.
• Hidden damage: Dents can sometimes be accompanied by underlying structural damage that’s not apparent to the untrained eye. A professional can assess the extent of damage properly.
• Paint and structural damage: Incorrect repair methods can lead to paint chipping, cracking, or peeling, exposing your structure to the elements and potentially costly to repair down the road. Professionals have the skills to minimize paint damage during repair.
• Safety concerns: A damaged garage door can pose a safety hazard if not repaired correctly. Professionals can ensure the repair is done safely and thoroughly, giving you peace of mind that the job will be done right.

Before calling a professional, it’s also a good idea to check if your home insurance covers garage door repairs.

When faced with a dented garage door, a professional will consider several factors to assess the damage and determine the best course of action:

• Dent severity: Small dent repair may include paintless dent repair (PDR) techniques, while deeper dents may require panel replacement.
• Dent location: Dents near moving parts may require more extensive repairs to ensure the door’s proper function and safety.
• Paint condition: If the paint is severely damaged or cracked, panel replacement may be necessary to restore the door’s appearance and prevent further deterioration.
• Structural damage: A dented garage door could become unbalanced, leading to severe misalignment issues and even damage structural parts of your home. Plus, there is a safety threat if your misaligned garage door happens to fall suddenly while in the open position.
• Customer preferences: A service professional will also consider the customer’s budget, timeline, and desired aesthetic outcome when determining a repair method.

Overall, the repair approach varies, so it's essential that a professional assess the extent of the damage to determine the most suitable method.

Garage door professionals use specialized tools and techniques to ensure that your paint, finish, and garage door remain intact during the repair process. In cases where the dent has caused structural damage, the affected panel may need to be replaced.

For minor dent repair, professionals may be able to use a common technique called paintless dent repair (PDR). This method involves accessing the backside of the dented panel and massaging the metal into its original shape without altering the paint finish.

PDR is particularly effective for smaller to medium-sized dents where the paint is still intact. It’s a precise and meticulous process that requires specialized tools and expertise, making it a popular choice for many garage door repair services.

A garage door professional may recommend panel replacement for more extensive dents or instances where the paint is damaged. In these cases, the damaged panel is removed and replaced with a new one.

Panel replacement may be necessary if:

• The dent is too deep or complex to be repaired with PDR
• The paint is severely damaged or cracked
• The panel is structurally compromised, posing a safety hazard

While the cost of a new panel can vary depending on the size, material, and style of your door, it’s often less than the cost of a garage door replacement.

It can be tempting to try popular DIY fixes to repair your dented garage door, but these solutions are often only temporary and can cause more long-term harm than good.

Below are common DIY garage door repair suggestions our service professionals have seen in over 25 years in business — and reasons why they’re not a good idea for homeowners to try:

• Use hot water or a heat gun to make the dent malleable: This can damage your garage door's paint job and finish, leaving you with blistering or peeling paint in the place of a dent.
• Use a plunger to pull out the dent: This method can create marks or scratches, resulting in an unsightly door.
• Apply dry ice to contract the dent: This may not be suitable for all garage door materials and may even ruin some.
• Attempt DIY panel replacement: DIY attempts to replace a damaged panel lead to serious safety risks.
• Use a hammer to pop out the dent: Hammering your garage door can cause additional damage and may harm its structural integrity.
• Paint over a DIY filler: Chances are the filler isn't as durable as your garage door material is. Painting over a small part of your door will also result in an uneven appearance.

So, what exactly is the right course of action? Consult a trustworthy garage door repair company to guide you in the right direction.

While some garage door styles dent easier than others do, there are ways to prevent damage from occurring in the first place.

Here are some tips to ensure that your garage door stays in good shape:

1. Purchase impact-resistant doors: Impact-resistant garage doors are designed to withstand the high impacts of extreme weather conditions.
2. Avoid using your driveway for high-impact activities: One ball game can turn into a hard-to-fix garage door dent.
3. Use a parking aid: A hanging tennis ball, laser-guided parking assistant, or a parking mat helps drivers park their cars without getting too close to the garage door.
4. Be mindful with lawn care: Avoid sending rocks or debris flying toward the door when mowing or trimming the lawn near your garage. These can easily cause dents or scratches.

These tips, coupled with immediate action, can prevent most instances of garage door denting.

A dented garage door can be both unsightly and a potential safety hazard. By calling a professional garage door service, you can ensure your garage door is repaired efficiently and safely.

Our experienced service professionals have the expertise and tools to handle any dents, big or small. Call or schedule an appointment online with your local Precision Garage Door Service™ today.