Summer is a wonderful time of the year! The days are long, and we can enjoy being active outdoors. The problem is that harsh summers can damage your garage door. You’ll find out how summer damages a hot garage and what you can do to reduce or prevent damage.
Softening Materials
Most materials will remain sturdy regardless of the temperature, but there is one material that is especially fragile to high heat is aluminum. This metal has many benefits, such as being lightweight and cheaper than steel, but its major downfall is that it’s susceptible to damage at high temperatures.
If your summers are consistently long and harsh, then you may want to steer clear of aluminum when avoiding garage damage. Those who already have aluminum may want to consider adding protective coatings to the garage to reduce problems.
Moisture Absorption
That’s right, summer can cause a certain material to absorb extra moisture, especially if your summers are humid. When wood dries out from the high temperatures, it will look to absorb moisture to regulate itself. The problem is that it will often absorb too much, and the cycle of drying and absorbing can do major damage to wood’s interior.
This can be prevented by adding wax to painted wood or polyurethane to stained wood. Do this once a year and your wood should do well.
Equipment Damage
The door itself isn’t just susceptible to damage. Both the opener and sensors can be impacted by harsh summers. Sensors can be tricked into thinking that an object is blocking the path if sun hits the glass. This can be prevented by providing some shade for the sensors.
Openers are a little trickier. Heat can weaken the cables and destroy the opener’s circuit board. If summers in your area are harsh, then be sure to check the opener’s normal operating temperature and ensure that it works for your needs.
Our friendly and experienced professional technicians at Midlothian Garage Doors are here to help support you and your home through every season North Texas can throw at us. Give us a call today if you would like some help checking your garage door for summer damage, or to get advice or assistance on preventative maintenance!
