Preparing Your Garage Door for Hot Weather: Essential Tips
2024-01-10 6 min read
Texas summers can be brutal, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Your garage door takes the brunt of this heat, and without proper preparation, you could face expensive repairs or premature replacement.
How Heat Affects Your Garage Door
Metal Components
- Expansion - Metal parts expand in heat, potentially causing binding or misalignment - Spring stress - Torsion springs work harder in extreme temperatures - Hardware loosening - Repeated expansion/contraction cycles can loosen bolts and brackets
Rubber and Plastic Parts
- Seal deterioration - Weatherstripping can crack and become brittle - Roller degradation - Nylon rollers may wear faster - Remote battery issues - Heat can drain opener remote batteries
Pre-Summer Checklist
1. Lubricate All Moving Parts
Apply a high-quality silicone-based lubricant to hinges, rollers, tracks, torsion springs, and bearings.
2. Inspect and Adjust Springs
Have a professional check spring tension before summer. Properly balanced doors put less stress on your opener during hot weather operation.
3. Check Weather Seals
Replace any cracked or hardened weatherstripping to keep hot air out, reduce cooling costs, and prevent pests from entering.
Conclusion
A little preparation goes a long way in extending the life of your garage door and avoiding emergency repairs during the hottest months. Schedule your pre-summer maintenance appointment today!