Your garage door takes the beating of severe weather elements, from harsh winters to sweltering summer heat. It’s vulnerable to damage, but by understanding how weather affects your door, you can implement preventive steps to avoid costly overhead garage door repair in Los Angeles.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how weather elements, such as temperature fluctuations, snow, rain, humidity, and more, impact your garage door’s condition. We’ll also share some weatherproofing tips to help you prepare your garage door for every season.
How cold weather affects your garage door
While Los Angeles doesn’t get frigid winters, some areas can still experience significant temperature drops as low as 48°F. This is considerably colder than the average year-round temperature of 66°F and as high as 84°F during summer.
So, how does the colder weather affect your garage door? Here are some of the common issues LA homeowners face when temperatures drop:
1. Door spring and cables break
Cold weather will cause your garage door’s metal components to contract. When this happens, the torsion springs will become tighter and less flexible, making them more prone to breakage when opening or closing your garage door.
The temperature drop also increases the risk of cables and extension springs snapping.
2. Thickened lubricant
Proper lubrication is crucial to keep your garage door running smoothly. However, during cold weather, lubricants tend to harden and thicken, which could make your garage door’s movement feel ‘tacky’ or ‘sticky’.
Thickened lubricant is less efficient in reducing friction on your door. This could cause rollers to jam, making your door jerky during operation.
3. Fogged-up photo eye sensors
During cold weather, moisture in the air can condense on the lenses of your garage door’s safety sensors. It will fog up, or the surface will be covered with droplets.
When this occurs, your door may fail to close as the sensors mistakenly detect the moisture as an obstruction. Also, your door may often experience faulty safety alerts, partially closing, and reversing, which can be frustrating when you’re in a rush.
4. Frozen door
Although freezing weather is quite uncommon in most of Los Angeles and Southern California, your garage door can still freeze when the temperature drops drastically.
For example, the moisture at the bottom of your garage door may freeze, which will cause your door to become frozen shut.
How rain affects your garage door
Heavy rains bring in excessive moisture that will wreak havoc on your garage door, especially on its metal and wooden parts. Not only that, heavy rains can also soak up the electrical parts of your garage door system, which will lead to further damage.
Here’s the most common rain damage on garage doors:
1. Heavier door weight
Wooden parts of your garage door, like the panels, can get soaked with water during heavy rains. This will add substantial weight to your door, which will strain your automatic opener.
If you notice your opener laboring to lift your garage door after a heavy onslaught, you should check for possible water intrusion.
2. Panel warping and rotting
Poor ventilation during rainy days will trap moisture in your garage, which could get absorbed by your wooden garage door panels. This moisture will cause the panels to swell and warp.
This often happens if your garage door doesn’t have proper sealing or has a finish that has already chipped away. It allows moisture to get into the wooden fibers, causing rot and irreparable damage later on.
3. Rust and corrosion
Prolonged exposure to rain and moisture will trigger rust on the metal parts of your garage door. Also, the salty air in coastal areas like Southern California, mixed with moisture, increases corrosion on garage doors.
Take note that widespread rust will weaken your door’s metal parts, which can lead to breakage if not repaired right away. This includes the tracks, hinges, springs, and rollers.
4. Washed-out lubrication
Rainwater and moisture can also wash away your garage door’s lubrication. Oil and grease-based lubricants can be rinsed off by persistent rain, which will make the metal components prone to rust.
When this happens, there will be increased friction on your garage door’s moving parts. You may notice grinding and creaking noises when opening or closing your door on a sunny day.
How hot weather affects your garage door
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate, which means we get mostly sunny weather all year long. Most of LA summers are hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 64°F to 84°F.
This consistent heat can have a negative impact on your garage door without proper maintenance. Here are some of the issues hot weather can bring on your garage door:
1. Increased wear and tear on moving parts
High temperatures cause the metal parts of your garage door to expand, including the tracks, rollers, hinges, springs, and other hardware. When these parts expand, they tend to rub on each other, which increases physical wear and tear.
The hot weather also increases friction between these parts, and without lubrication, you’ll notice your garage door becoming noisier and more sluggish to operate.
Without proper maintenance, the hot weather can contribute to premature damage to your garage door. You may need an overhead garage door repair or replacement more frequently.
2. Drying and shrinking of wooden doors
Similar to the effects of cold weather, high temperatures can also have an adverse impact on wooden garage doors. Under hot weather, your garage door panels may dry out, shrink, and splinter.
When this happens, your garage door panel will be difficult to open and close. It will also strain the rollers, tracks, and your automatic opener.
3. Brittle weatherstripping and rubber seals
Exposure to intense temperatures and UV rays will make rubber seals and weatherstripping brittle. These components will soon crack and crumble, allowing outdoor elements to seep into your garage.
In the long run, damaged weatherstripping will reduce your garage’s energy efficiency and allow further damage to occur.
4. Fading or peeling finish
Garage door panels, especially those made of vinyl, will fade fast when exposed to UV rays for long periods. Paint finishes may bubble or peel, and stains may break down over time. When this happens, your door’s material will be exposed to moisture and corrosion.
If not repaired, you’ll lose your garage door’s curb appeal, and it will eventually sustain further damage.
5. Overheating garage door openers
Your automatic garage door opener generates heat during operation. Combined with hot temperatures and poor garage ventilation, your opener will likely overheat. It will stop working or get totally fried, which will require a full replacement.
Take note that a malfunctioning garage door opener could lead to intermittent operation, posing a risk to you and your family.
Tips to weatherproof your garage door
While your garage door will eventually need repairs or replacements, there are ways to extend its lifespan. It starts with proper weatherproofing to minimize the impact of harsh elements on your door.
Here are some weatherproofing tips to protect your garage door:
1. Replace your door’s weatherstripping regularly
Most garage door weatherstripping is made of vinyl or rubber, which blocks drafts, rain, pests, and dust. Depending on the level of wear and tear, you may need to replace these strips every 1 to 5 years.
Make it a habit to inspect your door’s weatherstripping to spot early signs of damage. This way, you can replace them before they cause damage to your door and indoor space.
2. Apply a protective seal on your wooden door
Wooden doors are porous, and without proper sealing, they will absorb moisture easily. To make your wooden garage door weather-resistant, you can apply an exterior-grade paint to act as a barrier against harsh elements.
This special coating will reduce the risk of warping, swelling, and rotting. It will also save you from expensive and repetitive garage door repairs in the long run.
3. Keep all moving garage door parts lubricated
Lubricating your garage door’s hinges, rollers, tracks, and springs will ensure a smooth and quiet operation. Also, lubricating these parts will reduce unnecessary wear and tear, especially in areas like Los Angeles with mostly warm weather.
But before applying a silicone-based lubricant, make sure that the garage door components are clean. Applying lubricant on dirty parts will only cause the dirt to clump and make your door draggy.
4. Improve your garage ventilation
Proper ventilation will allow moisture to dissipate from your garage instead of building up on your garage door components. You can use an oscillating fan or a small exhaust fan to keep the air moving out of your garage.
After heavy rains, you can also use a portable dehumidifier to keep moisture levels down inside your garage.
5. Install insulation on your garage door
Garage door insulation will keep your garage cool during summer and warm during winter. This will help reduce your heating and cooling costs while keeping your home comfortable.
Aside from that, the insulation will also protect your garage door panel from condensation and fluctuating temperatures. Physically, added insulation also reinforces your garage door against strong winds and impact.
To ensure effective and long-lasting insulation, consider hiring an overhead garage door repair service to install it for you.
Protect your garage door from weather damage with Rock Garage Door Repair
Preventive maintenance will protect your garage door from the threats of heavy rains, temperature fluctuations, and other weather elements. Whether you’re dealing with weather damage or want to upgrade to a more durable garage door, Rock Garage Door Repair is the trusted service provider in Los Angeles.
We are a fully licensed and insured garage door specialist available for 24/7 emergency repair service. Our licensed garage door technicians can repair all garage door brands and models for both residential and commercial properties.
Contact Rock Garage Door for fast and reliable overhead garage door repair in Los Angeles!
Common questions about weather and overhead garage door repair
Why is my garage door not working after a storm?
If your garage door stopped working after a storm, you should check for water damage, misaligned hardware, electrical issues, spring damage, or debris blocking the door’s path. Storms can cause serious damage to garage doors, so it’s best to call a licensed technician like Rock Garage Door Repair to diagnose and fix the problem.
Why is my garage door not opening after it rains?
If your garage door won’t open after heavy rains, it’s likely that moisture seeped into the opener’s motor or has compromised other electrical components of your door. Other potential culprits are fogged-up or wet sensors, rust on moving parts, or swollen and warped panels that jam or get stuck on the tracks.
If you’re unsure about what’s wrong with your garage door, you can call us at Rock Garage Door for quick troubleshooting and repairs.
Can heat affect garage door sensors?
Yes, intense heat can affect your garage door sensors in many ways. First, it can cause the metal mounting brackets or frame to expand, shifting the alignment of the photo eye sensors. It’s also possible that the sensors have overheated and sustained electronic damage, which may require repairs.
How much does overhead garage door repair cost?
On average, overhead garage door repair costs in Los Angeles range from $174 to $419. This cost is on a sliding scale, depending on certain factors, such as severity of damage, door brand, replacement parts needed, labor costs, and more.
Here are the average costs of the most common garage door repairs:
- Spring replacement – $150 to $350
- Cable replacement – $100 to $200
- Roller replacement – $50 to $150
- Track repair or replacement – $125 to $250
- Garage door panel replacement – $250 to $800+
- Garage door opener repair – $100 to $500
Can wind cause a garage door to open?
Yes, strong winds can push your door open, especially if it’s not locked, has poor reinforcements, or is not fully closed. This is especially likely in areas that experience high winds, such as Southern California. To prevent this from happening, consider upgrading to wind-resistant doors designed to withstand hurricanes and storms.
When should I call for professional overhead garage door repair near me?
You should consider calling for professional garage door repair if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- Your door won’t open or close properly.
- Your garage door opener is unresponsive or working intermittently.
- There are unusual and loud noises coming from your garage door.
- There’s substantial damage to your garage door panels, tracks, and other components.
- Your garage door stopped working or started malfunctioning after a weather disturbance.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can call Rock Garage Door Repair for 24/7 and same-day repairs! Contact us today for a quick and affordable service!
