Preparing Your Garage Door for Summer: Essential Tips

2024-01-10 7 min read

Why Summer Preparation Matters

As temperatures rise in Belfair and throughout Washington State, your garage door faces unique challenges. Heat, humidity, and increased use during summer months can take a toll on your door's performance and longevity. Proper preparation now can prevent costly repairs later and ensure your garage door operates safely all summer long.

At Garage Door Belfair, we've helped thousands of homeowners prepare their doors for summer over our Experienced Local Team. Here's our comprehensive guide to getting your garage door summer-ready.

Inspect and Clean Your Door

Start with a thorough visual inspection of your entire garage door system:

The Door Itself

The Hardware

Lubrication is Key

Proper lubrication is especially important before summer. Heat can cause lubricants to break down faster, and summer's increased use means more stress on moving parts.

Use a high-quality garage door lubricant on:

Pro Tip: Avoid using WD-40 for lubrication, it's a solvent that can actually strip existing lubricant. Use a silicone-based or lithium-based garage door lubricant instead.

Test Safety Features

Safety should never be compromised. Test these features monthly:

Auto-Reverse Test

Place a 2x4 flat on the ground in the door's path. Close the door. When it contacts the wood, it should immediately reverse. If not, adjustment is needed.

Photo-Eye Test

With the door open, start to close it, then wave a broomstick through the photo-eye beam. The door should reverse immediately.

Balance Test

Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway. A balanced door should stay in place. If it falls or rises, the springs may need adjustment (a job for professionals).

Address Weatherstripping

Summer storms in the Pacific Northwest can bring heavy rain. Good weatherstripping protects your garage from water damage:

Consider Insulation

If your garage isn't insulated, summer is a great time to consider this upgrade. An insulated garage door can:

Prepare for Summer Activities

Summer means more garage door cycles as kids come and go, outdoor equipment moves in and out, and garage activities increase. This increased use makes maintenance even more important.

Consider scheduling a professional tune-up before summer gets into full swing. Our technicians can:

Summer Special Offer

Right now, Garage Door Belfair is offering a free tune-up with any new installation! This is the perfect time to upgrade your garage door and ensure it's ready for summer. Call us at 360-226-7649 to schedule your free estimate.

Conclusion

Taking time to prepare your garage door for summer is an investment in your home's safety, security, and value. Whether you handle basic maintenance yourself or call in the professionals at Garage Door Belfair, the key is to address potential issues before they become major problems. Stay cool, stay safe, and enjoy your summer!

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