7 min read
# Preparing Your Garage Door for Storm Season: Essential Tips
Living in Colorado means experiencing some of the most dramatic weather in the country. From powerful hailstorms to heavy snowfall and high winds, your garage door faces significant challenges throughout the year. Proper preparation can mean the difference between weathering storms without issue and facing costly emergency repairs.
Before diving into preparation tips, it's important to understand what your garage door is up against:
Hailstorms: Colorado ranks among the top states for hail damage. Golf ball-sized hail and larger can cause significant denting and cracking to garage door panels. Boulder County alone experiences an average of 3-5 severe hailstorms annually.
High Winds: Mountain winds and storm fronts can generate gusts exceeding 80 mph, putting tremendous stress on garage door systems. Wind can force doors open, damage weather sealing, and blow debris into door surfaces.
Temperature Extremes: Temperature swings of 40 degrees or more in a single day cause materials to expand and contract, stressing components and potentially causing warping or cracking.
Heavy Snow and Ice: Snow accumulation and ice formation can add significant weight to doors, stress springs and openers, and cause freezing of weather seals to garage floors.
Before storm season arrives, perform a thorough inspection or schedule a professional evaluation:
Visual Inspection: Walk around your garage door and examine every component. Look for rust spots, dents, cracks, or gaps in panels. Check weather stripping along the bottom and sides for wear or damage. Inspect the door frame for gaps or deterioration.
Operational Test: Open and close the door manually (after disconnecting the opener). It should move smoothly without binding or requiring excessive force. An unbalanced door needs professional attention before storms arrive.
Hardware Check: Examine all hinges, rollers, brackets, and cables for wear or damage. Loose hardware should be tightened, and worn components replaced.
Opener Inspection: Test the automatic opener for smooth operation. Verify that safety sensors are properly aligned and functional. Check that the emergency release works correctly.
1. Reinforce Your Door Standard residential garage doors aren't designed for extreme winds. Consider adding a bracing kit to strengthen the door against wind pressure. For hurricane-rated protection, impact-resistant doors are available.
2. Update Weather Sealing Quality weather sealing keeps water, debris, and pests out while improving energy efficiency. Replace worn bottom seals and side seals before storms arrive. A proper seal also prevents snow and ice from entering the garage.
3. Lubricate All Moving Parts Apply garage door lubricant to rollers, hinges, springs, and the opener's drive mechanism. Proper lubrication prevents binding during temperature extremes and reduces wear on components.
4. Test the Balance A properly balanced door distributes weight evenly across all components, reducing stress during high winds. If your door drifts up or down when left partially open, the springs need adjustment.
5. Clear Surrounding Areas Remove items stored near the garage door that could become projectiles in high winds. Trim trees and shrubs that could blow debris against the door.
6. Check the Emergency Release Ensure you can manually operate the door during power outages. Test the emergency release cord and familiarize all family members with its operation.
Steel Doors: Most resistant to impact but can dent in severe hail. Consider higher-gauge steel for better hail resistance. Address rust spots before they spread.
Aluminum Doors: Lighter and more prone to denting. May require professional dent removal after hailstorms.
Wood Doors: Most vulnerable to moisture damage. Ensure paint or stain is intact and all seals are performing.
Fiberglass/Vinyl: Can become brittle in extreme cold. Inspect for cracks before winter storms.
After any significant weather event:
1. Inspect before operating: Look for visible damage before using the door 2. Check track alignment: Strong winds can shift tracks out of position 3. Test sensor alignment: Debris and impacts can misalign safety sensors 4. Document any damage: Take photos for insurance claims 5. Call professionals for concerns: Don't operate a damaged door
Some preparations require professional expertise:
- Spring adjustment or replacement, Opener motor or drive repair, Structural damage repair, Track realignment, Impact-resistant door installation, Complete weather seal replacement
Scheduling professional maintenance before storm season is an investment that pays dividends. Our comprehensive tune-up service includes everything from inspection and lubrication to adjustment and testing. Most storm damage occurs to doors that were already compromised by deferred maintenance.
Don't wait until storms arrive to discover problems with your garage door. Contact us today to schedule a pre-season inspection and ensure your door is ready to protect your home through whatever Colorado weather brings.