Natural Disasters and Bakersfield Garage Door Repairs

Bakersfield garage door repairs are more common after natural disasters than any other time. If there is damage to a garage, you should get it repaired. For many people, preventing such damage would be even better. That way, you won’t have to worry about any repairs at all. Instead, your garage will be in great shape regardless of the weather.

Bakersfield Garage Door Repairs to Protect Against the Weather

So, if you plan on mitigating as much damage as possible, you’ll need a strategy. Otherwise, you’ll be flying blind. At best, you might make a little bit of a difference. At worst, you could cause even more problems. Fortunately, with a little forethought, strategies aren’t too difficult to create. Above all, you’ve got to envision future scenarios. What should you be planning for?

What Kind of Damage Can the Weather Cause?

Of course, in Bakersfield, certain natural disasters are much more common than others. Therefore, some damage is far more likely than others. For example, considering it’s so windy, you might want to prepare for strong gusts.

How Much Damage Could It Create?

Naturally, the extent of any damage varies with the weather’s strength. As it grows stronger, the potential for damage also enlarges. For that reason, keeping an eye on your weather forecast is critical. Without that information, plans are not worth much.

Flooding

Now, when it comes to your garage, flooding would be the most likely natural disaster. It doesn’t even have to rain all that much depending on where you live. In some areas, a serious thunderstorm is enough to flood the streets.

To Minimize Leakage, Caulk All Entrance and Exit Points

If you live in a flood zone, you’re probably aware of it. Therefore, not preparing for such an event would be foolish. When you live in an area that is prone to flooding, always ensure every nook and cranny has a sealant. That way, even if the water finds its way there, it can’t get through.

Ensure the Garage Has Proper Drains

On top of that, a good drainage system could change things entirely. Suppose you had a torrential downpour. At that point, you notice water seeping under the garage door. Thankfully, you had a new drainage system installed. Instead of filling up the garage, the water is flowing down the drain now.

Wind Damage

Believe it or not, the wind is much more powerful than you realize. Generally speaking, a strong gust is enough to push you around a bit. However, under certain circumstances, wind becomes overwhelming. While hurricanes might not be a huge threat, powerful winds can still be an unforeseen enemy. Without proper preparations, you’ll have broken glass and dents all over the place.

If You Have Time, Put Up Some Boards

Let’s say you checked the forecast. As you are watching it, you heard the wind was going to pick up quite a bit. Thus, thinking hastily, you ran to the hardware store. After arriving, plywood boards are calling your name. By throwing those up on the windows, you’ll prevent any excessive damage. Plus, you could even put some of them over the garage door itself. That way, if something blows into it, it’ll hit the board. In effect, you’ll prevent any dents during the storm.

Check Out Ratings Before Deciding on a Door

Now, if the wind picks up quickly, plywood might not be an option. In those circumstances, the wind resistance of your door will be the determining factor. While shopping for doors, compare the ratings they receive. Often, you’ll find a door with superb wind resistance. By putting those on your house, your garage will stand strong even without plywood.

Other Tips to Prolong the Garage’s Lifespan

Regardless of the weather, garages need maintenance. Otherwise, over time, they begin to break down. Eventually, you’ll be without a working garage unless you repair them. For that reason, plenty of people are curious about maintenance schedules. With one of those, keeping the garage in peak condition isn’t all that challenging. In fact, it’s relatively straightforward.

Frequent Inspections Are Vital

To repair something, you’ll need to know whether it’s broken. If it is, you should determine how to fix it. Unless you inspect things closely, such consequences aren’t immediately evident. Even after the garage is installed, that doesn’t mean you can forget about it. By conducting inspections frequently, you’ll discover any problems before they amplify. That way, even if there is an issue, it’s not shocking.

If You Hear Something Amiss, Don’t Let It Go

Usually, by listening, you’ll hear if the garage has problems. Most of the time, a new garage door shouldn’t shake that much while it’s moving. Inevitably, those doors developed some complications. At that point, when you open them, they should rumble voraciously. If you hear something like that, then it might be time to call an inspector. Otherwise, if you continue as you are, those problems could get even worse. At some point, someone must take a look at it. Unless you are fine without a garage, it would be better to take care of it as soon as possible.