Preventing Garage Door Damage Effectively

When you buy a garage door, you make a long-term investment. This investment is considerable given the current garage door prices. You would not want to be forced to replace the unit just a few years after its installation because of serious damage. You can expect the system and its components to be strong and durable, but protection is equally important.

The reality is that overhead doors are exposed to the outdoor environment and its threats. At the same time, they are fairly heavy and complex structures which are subject to wear and tear. Given all this, they can get damaged progressively and end up in poor condition if proper garage door maintenance and care are not provided. One of the core goals of maintenance is to provide protection from the main factors which threaten the system. Learn how to do this.

Taking Effective Measures for Protection

There is no doubt that moisture is the biggest threat to garage door parts and panels. It causes metal to rust and wood to decay. There are several steps you need to adopt in order to ensure moisture protection. The panels have to be painted or waxed so that moisture will not have direct access to them. Repainting or re-waxing is required on an annual basis so that the protection remains effective.

In general, the metal parts used in modern doors are made from galvanized steel which is highly resistant to rust and corrosion. However, you can provide further protection with lubrication. It will prevent friction between the different parts such as the garage door tracks and rollers. This will lower the risk of rust and corrosion further. Additionally, the entire garage and the door have to be properly insulated. This will lower the risk of condensation during the cold months of the year.

Pests can cause major damage especially to wooden doors. They can also cause damage to the moving metal parts if they get stuck between them and obstruct their movement. The weather seals, which are designed to provide moisture protection, can help to block pest infestation. This is especially true for the bottom seal. You can also use traditional methods for pest control.

Finally, you should know that the chemicals pose a major threat to sheet metal panels and metal parts. You should not use cleaners that are not approved by the manufacturer of the door. Similarly, you have to remove road salts from the garage floor during the winter in order to prevent its chemicals from damaging the coating of the galvanized tracks.