Storms move through East Tennessee with a mind of their own. One minute the sky is calm, and the next, heavy winds, pounding rain, and flying debris can put a beating on your home—especially your garage door. Many Knoxville homeowners don’t realize just how vulnerable this large moving system is until something starts grinding, sagging, or refusing to budge.
If your door took a hit during a recent storm, a careful inspection can save you from even bigger headaches down the road. Here’s what to look for—and when it’s time to call in an expert.
1. Look for dents, bends, or panels that don’t sit flush
Strong winds and loose branches often leave behind small dents that seem harmless at first. But even a slightly bent panel can throw off the door’s alignment. Over time, that misalignment puts extra strain on tracks, rollers, and springs.
Walk around the outside of the door and check it from different angles. If you can spot daylight through the seams or notice a panel bowing out, that’s a red flag.
2. Listen for new sounds when the door opens
Your garage door should move with a familiar hum. After a storm, you might hear scraping, rattling, or a sudden “pop.” Those noises often come from debris caught in the tracks or from a shifted door that’s now rubbing against the frame.
If the door sounds different than it did before the storm, stop using it until you know it’s safe.
3. Test the balance (but carefully!)
A garage door that’s been hit or shaken by wind may fall out of balance. You can test this by disconnecting the opener and gently lifting the door halfway. If it won’t stay in place, the springs may be damaged. Avoid trying to fix springs yourself—they’re tightly wound and extremely dangerous.
4. Inspect weatherstripping and seals
Heavy rain can weaken or peel away the bottom rubber seal, which quickly leads to water tracking inside the garage. Knoxville sees enough seasonal moisture that keeping these seals intact is important for preventing mold, pests, and energy loss.
5. When to call for storm-damage repair
Any of the following means it’s time to bring in a professional:
- Door won’t fully open or close
- One side seems heavier or lower
- Springs look stretched or broken
- Tracks appear bent
- Opener hums but doesn’t lift the door
Skylift Garage Doors provides storm damage garage door repair in Knoxville, TN, with same-day availability for urgent issues. Our technicians can quickly determine whether the door is repairable or if a replacement panel—or full door—is the safer choice.
Your home is your shelter. Treat your garage door like the front line it is.
After a major storm, taking ten minutes to check your door can prevent inconvenient breakdowns and expensive repairs later. And if something looks off, we’re here to help Knoxville homeowners get things back on track with fast, reliable service.
