Spring has sprung, which means summer is just around the corner. While you might be looking forward to beach days, hamburgers on the grill, and lemonade, summer also yields some less than ideal conditions for your garage door. Here’s what you need to be aware of in the months ahead to protect your garage door from summer’s potentially damaging effects.
Sunlight
Sunshine is great for getting a tan, but not so great for maintaining your garage door system. Aside from creating heat inside your garage, direct sun can actually trick the photo eyes on your garage door system into thinking that there is something obstructing the door. If your garage door persistently partially opens and partially closes in the summertime, this may be the cause.
Pro Tip: Craft a sun visor out of cardboard to prevent the rays from reaching your photo eyes. If your garage door is still acting funky, you may want to contact a professional for an inspection. High temperatures can sometimes cause systems to malfunction.
Storms
Drastic changes in temperature, warm winds, and extra moisture all combine for the perfect storm. Here are a few issues to be aware of as summer storm season approaches.
Hail
While there may not be much that you can do to protect your garage door from hail, you can help ensure hail damage doesn’t turn into bigger issues.
Pro Tip: After a hailstorm, inspect your garage for damage. Some issues may be covered by your homeowner's insurance. A garage door repair company should be able to fix any damage that your door may have suffered during a hailstorm; some minor issues you may even be able to repair on your own.
Electrical Loss
Severe storms often bring power outages, so be sure you know how to operate your garage door manually.
Pro Tip: Install a backup battery to keep your garage door running during a power outage.
Wind
Summer storms usually yield high winds, which can throw lawn furniture, tree branches, and other yard features at your door. Be sure to inspect it for damage after every storm.
Pro Tip: Bring potentially hazardous objects into your garage before a big storm to prevent damage to your garage door or siding. If you can’t bring items into your home, consider fastening them down with bungee cords.
Humidity
High temperatures often yield high humidity levels, and these aren't only bad news for your hair. Just like humidity causes your skin to stick to leather car seats, it also causes sticking on your garage door track. High humidity can impede the motion of your garage door, so if you find that yours is sticking, this may be the culprit.
Pro Tip: Keep garage door lubricant on hand to resolve this issue. To prevent sticking, lubricate your garage door tracks and parts once a month. This can be particularly helpful during months with high humidity.
Does your residential garage door need repair before the summer weather hits in Iowa? Contact WD Door! Whether you’re in need of a light tune-up or a new install, WD Door has you covered in the Des Moines area. Give us a call today, or request a free quote by clicking below.
