Summer weather takes a toll on your garage door in ways you might not expect. Heat can expand metal components, humidity can stick doors or degrade materials, and storms can disrupt electronic systems. This article outlines what summer weather can do to your garage door and suggests measures to keep it functioning smoothly throughout the season.
Key Takeaways
- High heat can lead to the expansion and misalignment of metal garage door components and can negatively affect lubrication, necessitating regular maintenance to prevent failure.
- Summertime humidity can cause wooden garage doors to swell, paints to stick, and lubricants to break down; therefore, applying lubricants regularly and performing annual maintenance checks are crucial for preventing moisture damage.
Impact of High Heat on Garage Door Components
Your garage door components often experience a series of reactions due to the high heat during the summer. Among the most affected parts are the metal components of your garage door, such as the garage door springs and tracks. This extreme summer heat can lead to thermal expansion, which in turn can cause several issues for your garage door system, including:
- Stretching the springs and potentially causing them to fail
- Increased friction and wear between the garage door rollers and tracks, leading to long-term damage
- Affecting the lubrication of moving parts, resulting in noise and reduced durability
- Summer storms and power outages can damage garage door openers through power surges, and a single-plug surge protector, along with knowledge of manual operation, can mitigate these risks.
So, you see, it’s important to mitigate the effects of heat on your insulated garage door system to ensure its longevity and proper functioning.
6 Things the Summer Weather Can Do to Your Garage Door
Here are six things summer can do to your garage door that you want to avoid:
1. Expansion of Metal Parts and Misalignment
Metal components such as garage door tracks expand as summer temperatures rise. This expansion can lead to the misalignment of the garage door tracks. Misalignment from expanded metal components can destroy the door’s balance and create safety hazards.
Hence, we cannot stress the importance of regular maintenance and inspections. Regular checkups by a professional can detect such problems early on, allowing for necessary adjustments or replacements before the misalignment escalates into a major safety concern.
2. Electronics and Sensor Malfunctions
Not only the physical components, but hot weather also adversely affects the electronics in garage doors. During the summer, the functionality of photo eyes and sensors in garage door openers can be compromised, resulting in unpredictable door behaviour. Since they can be especially sensitive to direct sunlight, the summer can cause them to mistakenly register an obstruction, leading to intermittent door operation.
A simple solution to this problem is to shade the sensors using materials such as cardboard or aluminum foil to prevent direct sunlight from affecting their operation.
3. You Get to Battle Humidity’s Sticky Situations
Summer brings more than just heat. Garage doors, especially those that are painted, can experience the following issues due to high humidity:
- Sticking to their perimeter seal, causing difficulty in opening the door
- Heightened friction and noise due to the breakdown of lubricants
- Potential reduction in the lifespan of components.
Applying garage door lubricant regularly can prevent the door from sticking due to humidity and help maintain the condition of moving parts despite the breakdown of lubricant caused by high temperatures. It’s always a good idea to have garage door lubricant handy for such maintenance tasks.
How to Protect Your Wooden Garage Doors
Wooden garage doors require extra care during the summer. Due to increased humidity and storms, the windows can swell and become difficult to open, making it challenging to manage them. Further, moisture in the air can soak into the wood of garage doors, leading to cracking or rotting issues.
It’s advisable to conduct annual maintenance checks for your wooden garage doors, which include checking for rot and ensuring that seals are intact to prevent further damage by moisture. Paint can offer superior protection for wooden garage doors against moisture compared to treatments like stains.
4. Summer Storms and Outages
Power outages and surges often accompany summer storms, disrupting the functioning of your garage door opener. Lightning strikes during storms can cause power surges, damaging the garage door motor’s circuit board and causing the opener to malfunction.
It is recommended that you use a single-plug surge protector with your garage door opener to shield it from damage. This will help maintain the functionality of your garage door and prevent potential malfunctions. A battery backup system for the garage door opener also ensures continued functionality during power outages, providing a convenient and necessary solution.
How to Activate Manual Operation During Power Loss
Power outages need not render your garage door inoperable. To open your garage door manually in the event of a power outage, follow these steps:
- Locate the manual release rope, usually red that hangs from the trolley.
- Pull the manual release rope to disengage the trolley.
- You can now manually open and close the garage door.
When the power is back on, pull the manual release rope towards the opener or use the wall button to re-engage the garage door with the trolley until it snaps into place.
5. Pest Invasion in Warm Weather
During warm weather, pests can invade your garage and make it their home. Just like humans, pests also enjoy the summer season. The high temperatures can cause the seals of your garage door to warp or degrade, creating openings for pests to enter. In addition, if your wooden garage door is not well-maintained, it can decay from moisture, attracting pests like ants and termites that can further damage the wood.
To avoid these problems, it is important to properly maintain your garage door seals to prevent sticking and degradation. Here are some tips:
- Regularly clean the seals to remove dirt and debris.
- Apply a silicone-based lubricant to keep the seals flexible and prevent them from drying out.
- Have annual professional maintenance checks to ensure the garage door maintains a tight seal as a reliable barrier against pests.
By following these tips, you can keep your garage door seals in good condition and prevent any issues with sticking or degradation.
6. The Sun May Also Affect Your Door’s Aesthetics
Exposure to the sun can affect the appearance of your garage door. Over time, the sun’s rays can fade the paint and degrade the material, resulting in a dull and lacklustre appearance.
However, a modern and quality garage door has a UV-resistant coating that can protect the door from sun damage. Reflective paints, particularly in light colours, can also provide additional protection from the sun’s UV rays. Additionally, protective films can be applied to garage door windows to reflect UVA and UVB rays, preventing degradation around window frames.
Wilson Electrical and Gate Automation: Your Summer Weather Ally
Are you dealing with garage door issues because of the summer weather? Wilson Electrical and Gate Automation is your reliable ally. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, we deliver expert services in the garage door industry. Our services include:
- Garage door repair
- Garage door installation
- Garage door maintenance
- Garage door opener repair and installation
Our quality craftsmanship and affordability make us the preferred choice for many homeowners.
Comprehensive Services Tailored for Summer
Our services include repairs, panel replacements, and ground-up installations for your garage. We diagnose and fix the door and opener issues caused by the heat. Our services are tailored to meet your garage’s unique needs during summer and other weather conditions.
Emergency Assistance When You Need It Most
We offer 24/7 emergency assistance for garage door issues handled by our professionals. Our rapid response ensures prompt attention to urgent gate or door automation problems, helping customers avoid summer interruptions due to garage door malfunctions. Contact us today to keep your garage door in tip-top shape.
Importance of Getting Regular Maintenance for Your Garage Door
Proper maintenance is key to the longevity and performance of your garage door. Regular inspections and maintenance of your garage door during the summer can prevent issues caused by rust, peeling paint, and hardware problems.
Properly balancing the garage door is fundamental to avoid unnecessary stress on the system and guarantee smooth operation. Regular maintenance of the garage door includes:
- Balancing the door
- Lubricating the moving parts
- Checking the springs and cables
- Inspecting the rollers and tracks
- Testing the safety features
So, to guarantee the best performance, you should service garage doors at least once a year to ensure their longevity and safe operation. Contact us at WEAGA today for a personalized consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can heat affect my garage door?
Yes, hot weather can affect your garage door by causing the sun’s glare to trick the sensors into reversing the door’s action, even when there is no obstruction. Be mindful of this during intense sunlight.
Is it better to leave your garage door open in the summer?
Yes, it is better to leave your garage door open in the summer. This allows for improved air circulation, helping to keep the garage cooler and preventing the buildup of trapped hot air.
What can indicate that a garage door may need repair?
A garage door may need repair if it exhibits temperamental behaviour and has malfunctioning components. Keep an eye out for these signs to ensure safety and functionality. You may need a garage door professional for accuracy.
Final Thoughts
Summer’s high heat, humidity, and storms can significantly affect your garage door’s appearance and functionality. However, you can effectively mitigate these problems by regularly maintaining your garage door and seeking professional assistance when needed.
Wilson Electrical and Gate Automation is a reliable and experienced service provider that can comprehensively meet all your garage door needs. This summer, don’t let the heat affect your garage door. Stay cool, and let us handle the rest! Contact us today for a personalized consultation.
