Hot weather can cause problems for your garage door. As temperatures rise, metal parts expand, making opening the door more challenging. Rubber seals dry out, leaving cracks that let in heat and dust. Without proper care, your garage door may stop working smoothly.
Maintaining garage doors in hot weather is essential to avoid expensive repairs. Simple maintenance can keep your garage door in good shape all summer.
Key Maintenance Steps for Hot Weather
Lubricate Metal Parts
Heat expands metal, causing friction between moving parts. To prevent this, apply garage door lubricant to the springs, hinges, and rollers. This keeps them moving smoothly and reduces wear.
Check and Replace Weather Seals
Weather seals at the bottom of the garage door help keep out hot air and dust. At high temperatures, these seals can crack and shrink. If they look damaged, replace them to keep your garage cooler.
Inspect and Tighten Hardware
Garage doors have many screws, bolts, and brackets that hold them in place. Heat can cause these to loosen over time. To stabilize the door, check for loose parts and tighten them with a wrench.
Clean and Paint the Door
Dirt and dust can build up on the door during summer. Clean it with soap and water to prevent stains. If the paint is fading, consider repainting the door in a light color. Lighter colors reflect sunlight and help keep your garage cooler.
Test the Garage Door Opener
Garage door openers work harder in the heat. Test your opener by opening and closing the door a few times. Check the batteries or consider upgrading to a heat-resistant model if it struggles. Keeping the opener in good shape prevents sudden breakdowns.
How Heat Affects Different Garage Door Materials
Metal Garage Doors
Metal doors are strong, but high heat makes them expand. This can cause misalignment, making it harder for the door to open and close. To prevent this, apply lubrication to moving parts and check for signs of warping.
Wood Garage Doors
Wood absorbs moisture from the air, and it can dry out and crack in hot weather. To protect a wooden garage door, apply a weather-resistant sealant to stop it from drying out. Regular cleaning also prevents dirt buildup, which can make cracks worse.
Vinyl and Fiberglass Garage Doors
These materials are more heat-resistant than metal or wood but can still warp in extreme temperatures. If your garage door is made of vinyl or fiberglass, clean it regularly and check for fading or warping.
How to Reduce Heat Inside the Garage
- Use insulation: Insulated garage doors help keep the inside cool. If your door is not insulated, consider adding garage door insulation panels.
- Improve ventilation: A garage with poor airflow will get extremely hot. Installing vents or a fan can help keep the air moving.
- Add reflective panels: These panels reflect sunlight and lower the temperature inside the garage.
- Keep the garage shaded: If possible, plant trees or install a shade near the garage to block direct sunlight.
By taking these steps, you can prevent heat damage and keep your garage door working smoothly throughout the summer.
Preventing Common Garage Door Issues in Extreme Heat
Check the Springs and Cables
Heat can weaken garage door springs and cables, causing them to lose tension. If you notice your door closing too fast or struggling to open, the springs may need to be replaced. A professional inspection once a year can help prevent sudden failures.
Monitor the Garage Door Sensors
Garage doors have safety sensors that can be affected by extreme heat. If your door is not closing properly, wipe the sensors clean and make sure they are not misaligned. Heat can sometimes cause expansion, making them shift slightly out of place.
Keep an Eye on Garage Door Tracks
The metal tracks that guide your garage door can expand in hot weather, causing the door to stick or move unevenly. Check if the tracks look misaligned or if there’s any resistance when opening or closing the door. If needed, gently adjust them back into position.
Protect the Garage Door Motor
Garage door openers contain motors that can overheat in extreme temperatures. If your opener is slowing down or making unusual noises, give it a break and allow it to cool down. If the issue continues, consider installing a cooling fan in the garage or upgrading to a high-temperature-resistant motor.
Regularly Inspect for Warping or Cracking
No matter the material, extreme heat can cause warping and cracking in your garage door. Check for any changes in the door’s shape or visible cracks every few weeks. Catching these issues early can save you from expensive repairs later on.
Plan for Professional Maintenance
While simple maintenance can be done at home, having a professional garage door technician inspect your door at least once a year is always a good idea. They can check for hidden issues and ensure your garage door remains in top shape all year round.
By following these steps, you can extend the life of your garage door and avoid costly repairs during the hottest months of the year.
Keep Your Garage Door in Top Shape
Keeping up with garage door maintenance in hot weather is the key to avoiding expensive repairs and breakdowns. Regular checks, proper lubrication, and insulation can extend the life of your garage door and keep it working smoothly all summer.
Simple tasks like cleaning the door, replacing worn-out seals, and testing the opener can make a big difference. If you want to ensure your garage door is in the best condition, our experts are here to help!
Visit Precision Door Bakersfield today for a free quote and to learn more about our garage door maintenance and repair services.
