Garage doors are very important to the security and functionality of your home, yet they tend to get overlooked until something goes wrong. A well-functioning garage door is safe to use for family and pets and keeps your vehicles and valuables protected. It's important to know the signs to look for that your garage door is in need of repair, so that you can have it fixed promptly before your home's security or family's safety is compromised in any way. Here are three signs your garage door needs to be repaired:

Your Garage Door Is Slow to Respond

Your garage door should begin to open or close immediately when you press the button on the garage door opener. If there is a lag in the response time, there may be a mechanical issue that needs to be addressed by a garage door professional. Be sure to change the batteries on your garage door opener to rule that out as a potential cause of the issue.

Your Garage Door Is Very Noisy

Garage doors that are in great working order should actually be very quiet and smooth when they operate. If your garage door is making loud clanking or screeching noises, it may be unbalanced or out of alignment, or you may have a cable or spring that is breaking down and needs to be replaced. Ignoring this problem can lead to various moving parts becoming damaged, which will lead to more costly repairs over time. It's best to have your garage door inspected so the cause of the noisiness can be identified and fixed.

Your Garage Door Is Shaky or Jerky

A garage door should move in a smooth manner. If it jerks and shakes when you open or close it, this is a sign that something is majorly wrong. Your garage door may have a broken track or inner parts of your garage door may have broken, making it impossible for your garage door to slide smoothly up and down. This is potentially a safety issue (just imagine if your garage door starts to come off of the track while your vehicle or a person is underneath it) and needs to be repaired right away.

If you notice any of these signs, it's time to have your garage door repaired immediately. Once your garage door is repaired, it's a great idea to have it professionally inspected once a year or so to ensure it functions as well as it should. For more information, contact a professional in your area or visit a website like http://www.affordablegaragedoorfix.com.