2024-02-20
# Preparing Your Garage Door for Summer: Essential Tips
As temperatures rise in the Yakima Valley, your garage door faces unique challenges. Summer heat, increased usage, and dust from dry conditions can all impact your door's performance. Here's how to prepare your garage door for the summer months.
Summer brings specific challenges to your garage door system. High temperatures can affect lubricants, expansion and contraction of metal components can cause misalignment, and increased use during home projects means more wear on moving parts.
A well-prepared garage door operates smoothly, saves energy by maintaining proper insulation, and avoids costly emergency repairs during the busiest season.
Start with a thorough visual inspection of your entire garage door system:
- Check for rust or corrosion on metal parts, Look for cracks in weatherstripping, Inspect cables for fraying or wear, Examine rollers for chips or flat spots, Look at springs for signs of wear or damage, Check panels for dents, cracks, or warping
Summer heat can dry out lubricants quickly. Proper lubrication reduces friction, noise, and wear:
- Apply silicone-based lubricant to hinges, Lubricate rollers (except nylon rollers) - Apply lubricant to springs (carefully!) - Lubricate the track sparingly, Oil the opener chain or screw drive
Pro tip: Avoid using WD-40 as your primary lubricant.it's a solvent, not a lubricant. Use a dedicated garage door lubricant or white lithium grease.
Safety should be your top priority. Test these features monthly during summer:
Photo-eye sensors: Place an object in the door's path while closing. The door should reverse immediately.
Auto-reverse mechanism: Place a 2x4 flat on the ground where the door meets the floor. The door should reverse upon contact.
Manual release: Ensure the emergency release works smoothly in case of power outages.
Dust and debris accumulate faster in summer. Clean tracks improve operation:
- Use a damp cloth to wipe inside the tracks, Check for bends or dents in the tracks, Ensure tracks are properly aligned, Tighten any loose brackets
Summer storms can drive rain into your garage. Inspect all weatherstripping:
- Bottom seal should contact floor evenly, Side seals should be flexible and intact, Top seal should prevent water intrusion, Replace any cracked or brittle seals
Vibration from regular use loosens hardware over time:
- Tighten all bolts and screws, Check bracket connections, Inspect hinge pins, Secure opener mounting hardware
Our region's hot, dry summers present unique challenges:
- Dust accumulation requires more frequent cleaning - UV exposure can fade and damage certain door materials - Temperature swings between day and night affect door balance - Low humidity can dry out weatherstripping faster
Some maintenance tasks require professional expertise:
- Spring adjustment or replacement, Cable repair, Track realignment, Opener repair or replacement, Panel replacement
At Selah Garage Doors, our summer tune-up service covers all these items and more. We'll ensure your garage door is ready for the season, operating safely and efficiently.
A properly maintained garage door helps keep your home cool:
- Insulated doors reduce heat transfer, Tight weatherseals prevent hot air intrusion, Proper door balance reduces opener strain, Light-colored doors absorb less heat
Don't wait for a breakdown to address garage door maintenance. Contact Selah Garage Doors today to schedule your summer preparation service and enjoy worry-free operation all season long.
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