Hail & Storm Damage Garage Door Repair in Lubbock

What Storm Damage Repair Covers

Garage doors are big, flat and usually face the street, which makes them one of the most visible pieces of storm damage on a house. They’re also a structural weak point: when wind bows a door inward, it can bend the tracks and, in severe storms, let wind pressure into the garage. For non-storm problems, see our main guide to Lubbock garage door services.

Why Lubbock Garage Doors Take a Beating

The South Plains sees frequent spring and summer thunderstorms, and some of them carry very large hail. On June 5, 2025, the National Weather Service in Lubbock logged hail up to 2½ inches east of Wolfforth and southwest of Lubbock. Its damage survey estimated downburst winds near 115 mph across west and southwest Lubbock, and a mesonet station at Reese Center measured an 80 mph gust. Local storm reports in 2026 included several rounds of quarter-size hail around the city, including near the airport, near Reese Center and on the west and northwest sides of town.

The Weather Service treats hail of 1 inch or larger as severe. That’s roughly where thin steel garage doors start to dent. Many builder-grade doors use a single layer of light-gauge steel; in steel gauges, a higher number means thinner metal, so a 27-gauge skin dents more easily than a 24-gauge one. Insulated doors with steel bonded to a foam core resist denting better.

How to Tell If Hail or Wind Damaged Your Door

• Round dents in the steel skin, easiest to see in low-angle light in the morning or evening.
• Cracked or broken windows in the top section.
• Chipped or cracked paint at the dents, which can lead to rust.
• Sections bowed inward or a door that no longer sits flat against the stop molding.
• Rollers out of the track or a door that binds and scrapes after a windstorm.
• Cracked trim or weatherstrip around the opening.
• Matching dents on gutters, mailboxes, cars or fences, which help show the storm caused it.

If the door now runs crooked or noisily, stop using it. Bent track and popped rollers are covered in our off-track repair guide.

Document It Before Anything Is Fixed

If you plan to file an insurance claim, photos taken soon after the storm are your best evidence. Do this before any repair:

• Photograph the whole door from the driveway, then close-ups of dents with a coin or tape measure for scale.
• Use low-angle light or a flashlight held flat against the door to make dents visible.
• Photograph hailstones next to a ruler if they’re still on the ground.
• Capture other dented items: gutters, vents, cars, fences and outdoor equipment.
• Note the date and approximate time of the storm.
• Keep any damaged parts a technician removes until the claim is settled.

Replace a Panel or the Whole Door?

Individual sections can be replaced on many sectional doors, which can be a good option when damage is limited to one or two panels. But it isn’t always possible or sensible.

Even when one panel can be replaced, new steel and paint may not match an older, sun-faded door perfectly. If you’re replacing the door, see new garage door installation for options that stand up better to hail.

Wind Damage and Wind-Resistant Doors

Wind damage is different from hail. Instead of dents, look for sections bowed inward, cracked stiles, bent horizontal track and rollers pulled from the track. A door that bows in a storm can also strain the springs and cables, so have the whole system checked.

Doors can be reinforced with horizontal struts across the sections, and some manufacturers make wind-load-rated doors with heavier hardware and track. If your door flexed noticeably in a storm or came off track, ask about reinforcement when it’s repaired. Close the door before severe weather; an open or half-open door lets wind under the roof.

Working With Your Insurance Adjuster

If you file a claim, an adjuster may inspect the door along with the roof and the rest of the house. A little preparation helps the visit go smoothly:

• Have your dated photos ready, including close-ups with something for scale.
• Point out damage that’s easy to miss, such as cracked trim, bent track or a door that now binds.
• Ask whether the door is being evaluated for repair or replacement, and why.
• Share a written estimate from a garage door company that lists the door make, model, size and insulation.
• If panels can’t be matched because the model is discontinued, make sure that’s noted.

Every policy and claim is different, and this isn’t insurance advice. If you have questions about coverage, ask your insurer or agent directly.

Avoid Storm-Chaser Problems

After big storms, out-of-town contractors often canvass neighborhoods. Many are legitimate, but protect yourself:

• Don’t sign anything the same day someone knocks.
• Get a written estimate that lists the door brand, model, size and insulation.
• Ask for proof of liability insurance and a local address and phone number.
• Don’t pay in full up front; ask about deposit and payment terms.
• Be cautious of anyone who offers to cover your deductible, which can raise insurance fraud issues.

What Affects the Cost of Storm Damage Repair