While summer can be a fun time to unwind, it would be much nicer without the extreme heat it brings. This weather impacts not only your well-being but also your garage door. The good news is that there are ways to go about preventing garage door damage during extreme heat. To understand the best preventative measures you can take, you will explore the three major effects of heat damage that can be inflicted upon garage doors.
Preventing Garage Door Damage During Extreme Heat
The best way you can go about preventing garage door damage during extreme heat is to understand the different risks posed by said heat.
Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight is one result of extreme heat that can lead to garage door damage. More specifically, the rays of the sun can interfere with the functionality of your garage door safety sensors. These rays cause interference by getting in the way of the line of sight of the sensor’s photo eyes, rendering this feature ineffective. The best way to prevent this kind of garage door damage during extreme heat is to install sensor guards or cut pieces of cardboard to use as shades. Whichever technique you choose, you can expect your safety sensors to continue working as always.
Moisture And Humidity
One side effect of extreme heat is increased levels of moisture and humidity. The probability of dealing with this condition is especially high if you live near the coast or a body of water. The chances of garage door heat damage are also high if you have a wooden garage door. Wood is an absorbent material, so any moisture and humidity that’s left to linger on the wood can cause this type of garage door to warp, swell, crack, split, and, in some severe cases, rot.
Luckily, there are two ways to keep your wooden garage door safe from this kind of garage door damage during extreme heat. The first method involves putting a tarp or cover over your wood garage door when humidity levels are high. The second and more sustainable long-term method is to give your wooden garage door a protective coat of paint. If your garage door is stained rather than painted, you’ll need to specifically apply a polyurethane finish every two years. With this layer of protection, your wooden garage door will be safe from garage door damage during extreme heat.
High Temperatures
Finally, it is important to understand the impact of high temperatures during the summer on your garage door’s performance. There are two ways high temperatures from extreme heat can impair your garage door’s functionality: overheating the opener and expanding metal components. This expansion can lead to issues like misalignment of important moving parts.
One solution to this potential problem also involves finding ways to provide shade for garage door parts that are prone to direct sunlight exposure. A more sustainable approach, however, involves insulating your garage door, as that will provide the necessary temperature control to prevent overheating. Keeping your garage cool with insulation will work wonders in reducing the potential effects of heat damage.
Keep Your Garage Door Safe From Extreme Heat Damage With Garage Door Repair Santa Fe!
We hope that you have a better idea of how to go about preventing garage door damage during extreme heat. Even when these conditions aren’t present, the solutions provided can still make a difference in increasing your garage door’s longevity and maintaining its durability. In fact, these are just a few of the many possible ways to protect your garage door from the negative impact of extreme temperatures. Contact us today at Garage Door Repair Santa Fe to find more ways to protect your garage door all year round.