How Fall Weather Can Damage Your Garage Door

For residents of Athens, AL, the fall season is much-awaited. The picturesque colors of the leaves, the cool breeze, and the anticipation of the upcoming holidays make it a beloved time of the year. However, as you gear up for pumpkin-spiced lattes and Halloween decorations, it’s also essential to remember the impact fall weather can have on your garage door. Stateline Garage Door is here to walk you through the potential damages and preventive measures.

Fluctuating Temperatures

Fall in Athens is marked by fluctuating temperatures. During the day, the sun might bring a warm feel, but as evening approaches, there can be a rapid drop. This constant expansion and contraction of materials can wreak havoc on your garage door. Wooden doors, in particular, are susceptible to warping. Meanwhile, metal doors may contract, leading to alignment problems.

Preventive Measure: Regularly check the alignment and balance of your garage door. Lubricating moving parts can also reduce strain caused by temperature fluctuations.

Increased Moisture

Fall brings increased humidity and occasional rain showers. Moisture is an enemy for many garage door materials. Wooden doors can rot, swell, or develop mold. Metal doors aren’t immune either; they can rust or corrode.

Preventive Measure: Invest in a good quality sealant for wooden doors. Ensure that your garage door has effective weather stripping and replace it when it wears out.

Falling Debris

As trees shed their leaves, there’s an increased risk of debris falling onto your garage door. Beyond just leaves, twigs, acorns, and other debris can get caught in the tracks or accumulate in the door’s crevices. This can lead to blockages, hinder smooth operation, or even damage the door’s surface.

Preventive Measure: Regularly inspect and clean the tracks of your garage door. Brush off any debris from the surface of the door and the surrounding area.

Pests Seeking Shelter

Cooler temperatures prompt many pests, including rodents and insects, to seek refuge in warmer spots. The garage is an inviting location for them. They can chew through cables, build nests, or block sensors, causing malfunctions in the garage door system.

Preventive Measure: Seal any gaps in your garage doors. Regularly inspect for signs of infestations and consider pest control measures if necessary.

Seasonal Strain on the Opener

Your garage door opener works harder during the fall, mainly due to temperature changes and increased moisture. Components can become stiff, causing the opener to exert more effort to operate smoothly.

Preventive Measure: Regular maintenance checks and lubrication of the opener’s parts can help. Also, ensure the opener’s sensitivity settings are correctly adjusted.

Pay Attention to Your Garage Door Springs

We mentioned earlier about the fluctuation in temperatures. We wanted to put a little more emphasis on the springs themselves. Metal contracts as it get colder, and if the warm moist air has created rust on your garage door springs, that contraction can make them break.

Preventive Measure: Keep watch on how much rust has built up on the garage door springs. Make sure to lubricate them before colder weather sets in. 

Power Outages

Though not exclusive to fall, the season can bring storms that might result in power outages. Without power, automatic garage doors won’t function unless you switch to manual mode.

Preventive Measure: Familiarize yourself with the manual override function of your garage door. It might also be wise to invest in a garage door opener with a backup battery feature.

Conclusion

While the fall season is a beautiful time of year, it can pose various challenges to the longevity and functionality of your garage door. With some preventive measures and regular maintenance checks, you can ensure that your garage door remains in top condition.

Stateline Garage Door in Athens, AL, is always here to assist you. Whether it’s a minor tweak, a significant garage door repair, or a complete installation, our experts are equipped to handle all your garage door needs. So as you enjoy the fall festivities, rest assured that with our help, your garage door is ready to face any seasonal challenge.