A garage door protects your home from intruders and improves your home’s curb appeal. It’s important to protect your garage door from damage during heavy rainfall to increase its lifespan and maintain its functionality. Heavy rain can cause rust and damage your garage. We’ll cover some of the types of damage rain can cause to your garage and how to prevent water damage, extending the lifespan of your door.
Common Garage Door Risks from Rain
Heavy rainfall can cause long-term issues with your home’s garage door, such as wood warping, metal rusting, and hinge corrosion. It’s important to protect your garage door from rain to prevent it from deteriorating and allowing water to seep into the garage.
If you have a residential wooden garage door, you need to be extremely careful. Wooden doors are more prone to water damage, and rain can cause wood rot and warp the panels.
Here, we have briefly explained some of the most common types of damage rain can cause to garage doors:
Water Damage
Different parts of your garage door, such as springs, hinges, tracks, and rollers, are made of metal. If these metal parts are exposed to water, they start to rust and weaken, eventually causing the garage door to malfunction.
If you have a wooden garage door, the door material starts to warp and swell after constant exposure to rain. This can cause the door to stop fitting properly in its frame and disrupt the opening and closing mechanisms. Excessive exposure to water also causes your garage door to rot and weakens the door’s structure over time.
Mold Growth
If your garage isn’t well-ventilated, rain and moisture create an environment for mold to grow and thrive. Mold development leads to a damp and musty smell that can be harmful to your health and can cause respiratory issues and allergies. It’s important to get rid of mold to protect your garage door from potential damage to its structural components.
Electrical Malfunction
Modern garage doors are often equipped with electrical components and sensors. However, if water affects these components, it can cause issues with the smooth and safe operation of your garage door. If water gets into your garage door’s sensor, it may malfunction. This can be inconvenient or even dangerous.
Difficulty Opening and Closing
When water affects your garage door, it leads to swollen or warped materials, which may prevent it from opening and closing smoothly. Heavy rainfall and snowfall can lead to rusty rollers or tracks. This causes friction in your garage door, making it difficult for doors to glide smoothly and causing grinding noises. So, if you’re having difficulty opening or closing your garage door, there’s a high possibility that it’s been affected by rain or water.
How to Protect Your Garage Door from Heavy Rainfall?
Regular maintenance can help you protect your garage door no matter the weather. Here are some tips for keeping your door opening and closing smoothly:
Inspect Your Garage Door
You should inspect your garage door from time to time, as it is the first defense against water damage in your garage. Make sure to examine your garage door closely every couple of months and look for signs of leaks, gaps, and cracks.
It’s equally important to check weather seals, as they can get damaged over time. If you catch water issues on time, you can fix them immediately before they turn into bigger problems.
Replace or Apply Weather Seals
Your garage door weather seals keep your door safe from unnecessary water, dust, dirt, debris, bugs, and critters. These seals are usually found on the bottom, top, or sides of your garage door and can lose their effectiveness due to cracking or peeling.
If you want to protect your home’s garage door from rain, consider replacing brittle seals with new ones.
Fill Cracks and Holes
Even a small crack or hole in your garage door or walls can allow water to get in. Even a little bit of water can damage sensors and electrical components, so you should prevent water seepage wherever possible. Consider filling any cracks or gaps in your garage door and the surrounding walls to provide suitable protection from rain. This will prevent pests and water from entering your garage.
Install Proper Drainage Systems
Installing a proper drainage system is crucial if you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, heavy rainfall, or snowfall. A good drainage system helps you keep your garage safe by redirecting water away from your home.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
When your home’s gutters and downspouts are clogged, rainwater overflows and pools around your garage door, leading to potential water damage. So, it’s important to clean dirt, leaves, and debris from your downspouts and gutters to make sure they are redirecting water properly. If your gutters are clogged often due to nearby trees, we suggest you install gutter guards so that you do not have to clean out your gutters as frequently. Cleaning gutters and downspouts reduces the risk of water-related damage and prolongs the lifespan of your garage door.
Use Water-Resistant Components
Whether you’re installing a new garage door or replacing an old one, consider installing water-resistant and rust-resistant components to protect your garage door from heavy rainfall.
Apply Lubricants to Moving Parts
Your garage door parts, such as springs, rollers, and hinges, should be lubricated regularly. Lubricating your garage door’s moving parts enables smooth operation and protects the door from rust caused by moisture exposure. If you want to improve your door’s reliability, safety, and efficiency, consider using a garage door-specific lubricant or silicone-based lubricant. When your garage door closes properly, it reduces the risk of water seepage and other water-related issues.
Use Waterproof Covers for Sensors and Openers
A garage door openers and sensors are important for safe operation, but they are sensitive to water and moisture. To protect these electrical components from rain, you should consider purchasing a waterproof cover for them.
Routine Testing and Maintenance
Testing and maintaining your garage door regularly helps prevent mechanical issues and ensures continuous operation. Technicians can inspect and fix all kinds of balance and alignment issues. Routine testing and maintenance may include the following:
- Examining garage door hardware
- Testing the mechanical reverse feature
- Tightening hardware and cleaning tracks
- Checking remote batteries and replacing them
- Inspecting the weatherstripping
- Removing dirt and debris from the garage door
Install a Ventilation System
Installing a proper ventilation system in your garage reduces the moisture levels and prevents issues such as mold growth, pest infestation, and rust. Proper vents or exhaust fans can help improve indoor air quality and circulation. If you have been using your garage for storage, installing a ventilation system is even more important. This system controls temperature and helps you protect your belongings from excessive moisture.
Using Dehumidifiers
If your garage area is damp or humid, installing a dehumidifier can reduce maintenance costs. Dehumidifiers help reduce moisture in the air and prevent rust, mold growth, and musty odors. They keep your garage area dry and protect your garage door and any belongings you have stored in the garage.
Flood Barrier Installation
If you live in an area prone to flooding, heavy rainfall, or snowfall, you should consider installing flood barriers. These barriers protect your garage from water-related issues and prevent water from seeping in. You can choose between sandbags and permanent floodgate barriers. Either way, a flood barrier prevents water seepage and reduces the risk of significant water damage.
Protect Your Door Year Round
Protecting your garage door during rain and heavy weather is important for maintaining its longevity, functionality, and appearance. By inspecting and maintaining your garage door, you can prevent common issues that lead to mechanical malfunctions and long-term damage. If you are looking for a reliable garage door installation, repair, or maintenance service provider, AAA Garage Door Services has you covered. Our experienced team inspects your garage door to determine any underlying issues and provides effective repairs and maintenance.
