Coastal areas can be excellent locations to live in or visit, but the climate can take a toll on garage doors. To protect your garage door and extend its lifespan, it’s essential to recognize specific warning signs of damage, as well as take the necessary steps to maintain long-term garage door health.
Coastal Weather Garage Door Damage
Coastal climates inherently cause wear and tear on your garage door. Everyday coastal weather exposes garage doors to several damaging elements, such as:
- High humidity
- Salt
- Intense UV exposure
While you can’t escape these natural occurrences in coastal areas, there are steps you can take to mitigate and minimize damage. With proactive steps and regular maintenance, you can keep your garage door in good condition long-term.
Humidity-Related Damage
The humidity present in most coastal climates can cause accelerated rusting of metal garage door components. When there is a high degree of moisture in the air, that moisture condenses on any available surface.
When condensation rests on metal hardware, it causes rust to form. Over time, this weakens the mental and makes those parts prone to breaking and bending, which compromises your garage door’s overall structure and functionality.
How To Avoid Rust Damage
To prevent rust damage and resulting garage door malfunctions, it’s essential to be proactive and address rust issues as soon as they arise. Important steps include:
- Choosing corrosion-resistant hardware
- Regularly inspecting hardware for damage
- Lubricating hardware on a consistent schedule
If you notice rust starting to form, consider replacing the affected hardware. Your local garage door contractor can help do this safely. They can also advise you on the best hardware options for long-term garage door health.
Salt Damage and Corrosion
Due to the proximity of saltwater, coastal areas also experience a high degree of salt on land. As with humidity, salt can also cause and accelerate rust formation and corrosion of garage door hardware. You can follow the same prevention and maintenance steps to reduce the impact of salt and humidity damage on hardware.
In addition to hardware corrosion, salt can also damage and weaken garage door panels. Salt can cause metal panels to rust and corrode quickly. It can also cause wood and fiberglass panels to rot, warp, or crack.
Preventing Salt Damage to Garage Door Panels
To prevent and reduce salt damage, consider applying a protective coating to safeguard the surface of your garage door. It is also essential to wash the door’s surface regularly to remove salt accumulation.
Typically, a mild detergent, such as dish soap, diluted in warm water, is sufficient to clean a garage door. You can consult your owner’s manual or contact your local garage door installer to determine the best cleaning process for your door.
Once you have washed your door, rinse it with clean water to remove any remaining residue. Regularly washing your garage door will help preserve its surface and overall structure.
Damage From UV Exposure
Coastal regions often experience extended periods of sunshine. UV rays can be extremely enjoyable for residents and visitors, but long-term sun exposure can cause significant damage to garage doors.
Intense UV exposure can result in:
- Fading or cracking of garage door paint and finishes
- Warping of garage door panels
- Exposure of door materials to other damaging elements like moisture and salt
While there is little you can do to prevent UV exposure, you can minimize damage by applying protective coatings and regularly inspecting door panels and repairing any damage. With consistent attention, your garage doors can weather the sun’s rays for many years.
For assistance with garage door repairs, inspections, and maintenance in Heathsville or the area, call Easy Open Garage Doors, LLC, today. With over 32 years of experience to draw upon, our team provides comprehensive garage door care and exceptional customer service to every client. We offer a one-year warranty on all workmanship and the manufacturer’s warranty on all parts, providing you with peace of mind. Easy Open Garage Doors, LLC—Because Life Is Hard Enough!
