keeping children and pets safe around garage doors

Common Questions About Storm Proofing Your Garage Door

Strong storms have the potential to cause extensive damage to your home, and while you may take steps to minimize this risk, some people make the error of overlooking their garage doors. A garage door is particularly vulnerable to certain types of damages, and it is important for you to take steps to protect your home from these threats. After learning the following information, you will be in a better position to protect your house from this type of storm damage. 

Why Is It Important To Storm Proof Your Garage Door?

During a severe storm, your garage door must withstand the intense winds and water. The garage door has numerous hinges in it that are designed to bend, and these winds can cause them to open. When this happens, the garage door can flood, and the garage door may suffer permanent warping. 

In addition to this wind damage, rainwater can seep in through these hinges or under the door. This can result in extensive water damage, and if it comes into contact with the door's electronics, it can lead to a damaging power surge or short circuit. 

How Do You Mitigate Storm Damage?

To prevent these issues from striking your home, you will need to reinforce the hinges and apply a piece of weatherstripping to each one. This is essentially a strip that prevents water from entering through these cracks. However, these strips will wear down as time passes, and you will need to replace them every few years or when you start to notice moisture seeping into the garage. 

Preventing the wind from opening or warping the garage door is more difficult, and you will likely need professional help for this step. When this work is done, reinforcing beams are placed in strategic locations on the door, and these will help to prevent the door from opening due to strong winds. Also, you can install a locking mechanism that will further reduce the odds of the door opening due to these winds. 

Protecting the garage door from storm damage is a task that many homeowners overlook, and it can result in sizable damages to the home. Fortunately, it is possible to greatly reduce the odds of encountering these problems, but you will need to have an understanding about this task. Knowing the type of damage that can happen if your garage is not storm proofed and understanding how to mitigate it should make it easier for you to keep your home safe during the next severe weather event.  

For more information, contact a professional like A & J Garage Door Inc.


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