Summer can be tough on garage doors with the heat, humidity, and seasonal usage patterns. Preparing your garage door properly for the summer months can help prevent many common issues and keep it operating smoothly all season long.
Inspect and Replace Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping around the sides and bottom of the garage door plays an important role in keeping out hot drafts, moisture, bugs, and debris. Inspect all weatherstripping for any cracks, brittleness, or pieces that are missing or damaged. Replace any questionable weatherstripping before summer hits.
Lubricate Moving Parts
High summer temperatures can cause lubricants on garage door hinges, rollers, and pulleys to dry out more quickly. Be sure to lubricate all moving parts with a high-quality garage door lubricant designed for high temperatures. This will allow the entire mechanism to operate more efficiently and quietly.
Check Door Balance
If your garage door is becoming difficult to open and close manually, it may be coming out of its properly balanced state. Summer heat can impact springs and cable tensions, throwing things off. Have a professional re-balance and adjust the door for you to prevent further issues.
Clean Tracks and Sensors
Take the time to thoroughly clean out any built-up dirt and debris in the garage door tracks using a stiff brush. Also, wipe off the safety sensor lenses to ensure they are working properly. Humid summer conditions can allow moisture buildup and blockages in these areas.
Consider Insulation
An insulated garage door can make a big difference in keeping your garage cooler and more comfortable throughout the hot months. Insulation also blocks noise from passing through the door. If you don’t have an insulated garage door, you can add insulation panels to the interior of the door fairly easily.
Test Safety Features
Take a walk around your property to assess safety features like automatic reversing mechanisms and photo eye sensors. Make sure they are in good working order and that the door will quickly reverse if it hits an unexpected obstacle when closing.
Preparing your garage door ahead of summer’s heat will avoid many common warm weather issues and extend the lifespan of all components. A little preventative care goes a long way toward hassle-free garage door operation all summer.
For comprehensive garage door maintenance and repairs, reach out to Loveland Garage Door Service today! Our expert team ensures your garage door operates seamlessly, preventing any inconvenience. Perform routine inspections and entrust us with all necessary repairs to maintain peak functionality.
FAQs:
Q: Why is weatherstripping around the garage door important for summer?
A: Weatherstripping seals out hot drafts, moisture, insects, and debris that can get in through gaps around the door during the summer months.
Q: What kind of lubricant should I use on my garage door for summer?
A: Use a high-quality lubricant specifically designed for garage doors that can withstand high heat and won’t dry out as quickly.
Q: How do I know if my garage door needs to be rebalanced for summer?
A: If the door becomes difficult to open and close manually, that’s a sign the springs and cable tensions may have shifted out of their balanced state due to heat.
Q: Why do the garage door tracks and sensors need cleaning for summer?
A: Built-up dirt and debris in the tracks can impair operation. Moisture and dust can also accumulate on the safety sensor lenses, preventing them from working properly.
Q: How does an insulated garage door help in summer?
A: An insulated door blocks radiant heat transfer, keeping the garage cooler. It also helps reduce noise from passing through the door.
Q: Why should I test the garage door’s safety features before summer?
A: Heat can impact components like the auto-reverse mechanisms. Testing ensures they still quickly reverse if the door hits an unexpected obstacle when closing.
Q: What if I don’t have an insulated garage door? Are there other options?
A: You can install inexpensive insulation panels or kits on the interior side of your existing door to gain some insulating benefits.