Preparing Your Garage Door for Storm Season: Essential Tips

2024-01-10 7 min read

Why Storm Preparation Matters for Your Garage Door

Living in the Yakima Valley, we're no strangers to severe weather. From powerful windstorms to heavy snow loads, our garage doors face significant stress throughout the year. At Naches Garage Doors, we've seen firsthand how proper preparation.including regular maintenance.can mean the difference between a garage door that weathers the storm and one that fails at the worst possible moment.

Your garage door is the largest moving part of your home and often the most vulnerable during severe weather. A compromised garage door can allow wind and water into your home, potentially causing thousands of dollars in damage. Even worse, a garage door failure during a storm can create a pressure differential that can blow off your roof.

Pre-Storm Inspection Checklist

Before storm season hits, take time to thoroughly inspect your garage door system. Here's what our Master Technicians recommend checking:

Weatherstripping and Seals: The rubber seal at the bottom of your door and the weatherstripping around the sides and top are your first line of defense against wind-driven rain. Look for cracks, gaps, or sections that have pulled away from the door. Damaged weatherstripping should be replaced before storms arrive.

Springs and Cables: These components are under tremendous tension and wear out over time. Look for signs of rust, fraying cables, or gaps in the spring coils. If your springs are more than 7-10 years old, consider having them inspected professionally.

Tracks and Rollers: Check that tracks are securely attached to the wall and ceiling with no loose bolts or brackets. Rollers should move smoothly without wobbling or making grinding noises.

Door Balance: Disconnect your opener by pulling the release handle, then manually lift the door halfway. A properly balanced door should stay in place. If it falls or rises on its own, the springs need adjustment.

Reinforcing Your Garage Door for High Winds

Standard residential garage doors are designed for normal conditions, not the 60+ mph winds that can accompany our Pacific Northwest storms. If your home is in an area prone to high winds, consider these reinforcement options:

Horizontal Bracing: Installing horizontal braces along the back of each door panel significantly increases wind resistance. These can be retrofit to most existing doors and are especially important for wider double doors.

Vertical Reinforcement: Heavy-duty vertical struts running the full height of the door add structural rigidity. This is particularly important for single-layer steel doors.

Impact-Resistant Doors: If you're replacing an older door, consider upgrading to a wind-rated model. These doors are engineered and tested to withstand specific wind speeds and often come with reinforcement features built in.

Upgraded Hardware: Heavier hinges, reinforced track brackets, and stronger mounting hardware can all contribute to a more storm-resistant system.

Emergency Preparedness

Even with the best preparation, severe storms can cause damage. Here's how to be ready:

Know How to Manually Operate Your Door: Practice disconnecting your opener and operating the door by hand. In a power outage, you'll need to do this to get your vehicles in or out.

Keep Emergency Contact Information Handy: Save our number.(509) 284-8779.in your phone. Naches Garage Doors offers 24/7 emergency service throughout the Yakima Valley. When your garage door fails at 2 AM during a storm, you'll want help fast.

Document Your Door: Take photos of your garage door and keep records of the make, model, and any maintenance performed. This documentation is invaluable for insurance claims if storm damage occurs.

Post-Storm Inspection

After any significant storm, inspect your garage door even if it appears undamaged. Look for:

- New gaps or misalignment in the door sections, Damage to the weatherstripping or seals, Dents or impacts from debris, Changes in how the door operates, Water intrusion marks inside the garage

Minor damage addressed quickly can prevent major failures later. Our team at Naches Garage Doors offers free post-storm inspections for our Yakima Valley neighbors. Learn more about security lighting for your garage for added protection.

Conclusion

Storm preparation isn't just about protecting your garage door.it's about protecting your entire home and family. A few hours of inspection and maintenance now can save you tremendous stress and expense when severe weather hits. If you're unsure about the condition of your garage door or want professional reinforcement options, contact us or call (509) 284-8779. With 17+ years serving Yakima, Selah, and the entire valley, Naches Garage Doors is your trusted partner for all-weather garage door repair and reliability.

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