Find Out Why your Garage Door is Sagging or Uneven: Causes & Solutions
A sagging garage door or one that appears uneven when closing isn’t just an eyesore; it can also signal deeper structural problems. Ignoring it may lead to costly repairs and safety concerns.
In this guide, we’ll break down the common causes of a sagging or uneven garage door and the best solutions, including when to repair garage lintels and how professional concrete lifting plays a crucial role in restoring your garage.
Common Causes of a Sagging Garage Door
While issues such as soil washout or foundation settlement are common causes of sinking garage floors, it can be trickier to identify what’s causing the door itself to look saggy. Here are some possible sources of this issue:
1. Uneven Garage Floor
Over time, garage floors can settle or sink due to shifting soil, erosion, or poor construction. This uneven surface prevents the garage door from aligning properly, making it look saggy or misaligned. When the floor beneath is the culprit, concrete lifting is the best way to restore a level surface.
2. Damaged or Sagging Garage Lintel
The garage lintel is the horizontal support beam above your garage door. If it starts to bow or crack, it can cause the door frame to shift, leading to a sagging garage door. This is a common issue in homes where the original construction materials were inadequate or the lintel was never properly supported.
3. Warped or Worn-Out Garage Door Panels
Wooden garage doors can warp with changes in temperature and humidity, while metal doors can bend or dent over time. This warping can contribute to an uneven appearance, though it’s often secondary to structural problems like a broken garage lintel or uneven concrete.
How to Fix Broken Garage Lintels
Your garage door isn’t always sagging due to the floor. If you notice cracks above the garage door, separation from the wall, or bowing in the beam, these are signs you may need to fix a broken garage lintel. Delaying repairs can lead to serious structural issues, including wall collapse.
To repair a garage lintel, professionals may use steel reinforcements or replace the lintel entirely depending on the severity of the damage. DIY fixes are not recommended; this is a structural element that supports part of your home’s weight. It’s best to leave it to the pros.
When to Call a Professional
Whether it’s a sagging garage lintel, uneven floor, or both, these issues should be evaluated by a professional. A thorough inspection will determine whether you need to repair the garage lintel, lift the concrete, or address both for a complete solution.
Sagging Garage Door Repair Solutions
If your garage door starts sagging, it’s essential to fix it quickly to prevent long-term damage to your home or your vehicle. Here are some solutions to lift your sagging garage door from the ground up:
Polyurethane Foam Lifting
Polyurethane foam lifting is a modern, minimally invasive method used to raise sunken garage floors. It involves injecting a lightweight, expanding foam beneath the concrete slab through small holes. As the foam expands, it lifts and levels the concrete with precision.
Mudjacking
Mudjacking is a traditional concrete lifting technique that uses a slurry mixture of water, soil, and cement to raise sunken slabs. The mixture is pumped under the slab through drilled holes to lift it back into place. While it’s cheaper than replacement, mudjacking is heavier and may not last as long as poly foam.
Concrete Replacement
Concrete replacement involves removing and re-pouring an entire section of the garage floor. This method is typically used when the concrete is severely cracked, crumbling, or beyond repair. Though it’s the most labor-intensive and costly solution, it does not necessarily address the root cause of the sinking.
Why Concrete Lifting Is the Best Garage Floor Repair Option
By correcting the foundation beneath your garage, concrete lifting not only helps with a sagging garage door but also extends the life of your home’s structure. Here’s how:
- Restores proper garage door alignment
- Prevents further sinking or structural damage
- Quick cure time—ready for use in hours
- Less disruptive and more affordable than full slab replacement
Stabilize Your Garage with Groundworks
A sagging garage door is often a symptom of underlying problems like a sagging garage lintel or sinking floor. Don’t settle for a quick fix—choose long-term solutions like repairing the garage lintel properly and using professional concrete lifting for reliable, lasting results.
Contact Groundworks today for a free concrete inspection and repair estimate.
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