Wintertime temperatures in Christiansburg, VA occasionally dip as low as 11°F. Conversely, although it’s usually around 80°F in the summer, the area can reach temperatures above 100 degrees. Once you toss in the area’s tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, winter storms and hurricanes, you’re looking at many different ways the weather can affect your garage door.
Fortunately, your local residential garage door experts are here to help. Reach out to Halls Garage Doors if your garage door shows any signs of weather-related stress.
The Impact of Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures are one of the biggest challenges your garage door can face. For instance, hot temperatures can stress electrical parts and warp wooden doors. Furthermore, it can degrade seals and lubrication, along with possibly causing the door to become misaligned from metal expansion. These things can cause your garage door to have sluggish movement or even to fail altogether.
Wintertime carries with it several risks for your garage door. Most notably, extreme cold forces the metal components to contract. In turn, the springs become fragile and may snap. This can cause a whole slew of problems, including hindered operation due to solidified lubricants. If water leaks into a crack and then freezes, the ice will expand and damage the area around it.
Damage Caused by Humidity and Moisture
Christiansburg is known for having very humid summers with approximately 42 inches of rain per year. It usually receives between 24 and 25 inches of snow each winter. The humidity and moisture levels can definitely have a negative impact on your garage door.
Moisture is the main culprit behind swelling and warping in wooden doors. Your garage door can mold, mildew or rot. Overall, your garage door’s structure will become weakened, and it might even need to be replaced. One way you can help minimize this damage is by placing a dehumidifier near the garage door.
Moisture and humidity can cause corrosion and rust. Every part made of non-stainless steel is at risk, particularly springs, tracks and hinges. Once corrosion and/or rust appear, your garage door’s functionality and appearance will be affected.
Garage Door Damage Caused by Wind and Storms
Windstorms, thunderstorms, hurricanes and other inclement weather events can cause damage to your garage door. Panel damage is caused by strong winds that dent or bend door panels. High winds can completely displace your garage door. Your panels could buckle, or the door might be forced off track. Not only could this lead to a catastrophic failure, but it could also potentially damage the structure of your garage.
Weather-Related Sensor Malfunctions
Garage doors typically have infrared safety sensors. However, weather conditions such as snow, rain or heavy fog can disrupt their functionality. When this happens, your garage door may stop operating altogether, or it may only work intermittently. Again, if you store your vehicle in your garage, it could be very difficult to get out when it’s time to go to work.
Lubrication Issues
Your garage door opener needs to have enough lubricant consistency to do its job. Temperature changes can have an impact on this, however, and can make the door quite stiff. It might even interpret thickened lubricant as an obstruction, which could cause your garage door’s motor to stop.
How Can I Avoid Weather-Related Issues?
Although there isn’t a way to avoid all weather-related issues, we can provide you with a few tips that will greatly reduce your risk of getting stuck inside your garage.
Rain
If you’ve got a wooden door, it’ll be especially prone to swelling. To avoid this, there are several steps you can take. If you don’t have gutters on your garage, consider installing them. Check the drainage around the building to ensure that water is not wicking up into the door from the bottom. Keep your door painted or varnished with a protective coating at all times. Finally, look at the dominant direction that storms come from in the area. If your garage door faces this direction, consider planting trees or shrubs to block some of the sideways rain that accompanies high wind events.
Hot Weather
Your garage door’s electronic mechanisms are sensitive to external factors. If you experience problems with your electronics not responding as they are supposed to during hot summer days, be sure to reach out to a professional for help. Direct heat on the electronic components can increase wear. This is most likely if you have an uninsulated garage with large windows. Consider adding insulation and/or increasing ventilation to address this issue.
How to Winterize Your Garage Door
We offer regular preventative maintenance to help you properly winterize your garage door. During this process, we’ll inspect your seal and weatherstripping. If we find an issue, we’ll replace your old seal and caulk any gaps. Next, if your garage door is missing insulation, we’ll help you provide it.
Our experts will also maintain your garage door’s mechanics by lubricating all moving parts. Furthermore, we can install a threshold seal to give your garage added protection from snow, cold air and pests. Cleaning your sensors can prevent problems with your door’s operation. Finally, we’ll open and close your garage door to make sure it is operating smoothly and is properly sealed.
How to Summerize Your Garage Door
Another aspect of preventative maintenance is summerizing your garage door. Again, our preventative maintenance can take care of this for you. We’ll lubricate all moving parts, check your weatherstripping and monitor for signs of misaligned tracks or warped panels. Additionally, cleaning the door with a mild detergent and water is a proven way to maintain its appearance.
Any gaps in the garage door will be sealed, and you might need to install insulation panels. We also recommend using box fans in your garage for air circulation, along with installing vents. That way, any stale air can escape. Another suggestion is to open your garage door to improve airflow on cooler summer days.
How Long Does a Garage Door Last in Extreme Conditions?
The average lifespan of a garage door is approximately 15 to 30 years. However, there are a number of factors that can impact this time frame, including:
- Usage frequency
- Material quality
- Environmental conditions
- Initial installation
- Preventative maintenance
Turn to Virginia’s Best Garage Door Team
Whether your garage door has experienced problems or not, it’s always wise to have it inspected on a regular basis. Halls Garage Doors‘s focus is on keeping your garage door in good shape. We repair and replace garage doors for residential homes and commercial businesses. Plus, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and include a warranty. Our highly trained experts are also licensed and insured. We’ve been in business since the 1980s, and we always offer exceptional service. Receive same-day or next-day service, too, along with our dedication to quality.
Do you need assistance keeping your garage door safe during extreme temperatures and weather conditions? Give us a call.
