The average garage door is built to withstand the elements. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t unaffected by them. Just as you shield yourself from the rain with a good coat or an umbrella, you’ll also want to take measures to protect your garage door.
But how much can heavy rain damage your doors exactly? As a homeowner, it’s important to understand what can happen to a garage door that isn’t ready when those Oregon storm clouds roll in.
Does Rain Damage Your Door?
Water can damage garage doors, especially if you own a wooden door. Wood can trap moisture from heavy rains, causing the door to swell, which decreases the clearance between your door and the frame.
Eventually, your door could swell too much and become stuck. Rain can also warp the panels on wooden garage doors and even cause the wood to rot.
Excessive rain can also damage metal doors. Over time, water can bring rust to every element of the door. The unsightly rust can also affect how your door operates, should it reach the hinges or other components that help it function correctly.
How Water Can Affect Garage Doors
Learning to recognize some key rain-related problems that could damage your door if left alone for too long is essential for any garage door owner in Oregon.
Since wooden garage doors soak up water, they can get heavy and strain your opener. If a professional doesn’t address this, the entire system could suffer damage. If your door starts to struggle to open or is making creaking noises, that’s a sign that it’s a good time to seek help for water-related damage.
Warped panels can also affect your garage door’s functionality. Warping is often easy to see, as the door will look like it’s starting to buckle or give way. With that being said, severe warping can be a safety hazard, so you must have this issue checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
You should always inspect your garage door for any damage or maintenance needs after long periods of rainfall. It’s the best way to prevent costly repairs or issues down the line. When you check, take the overall appearance, operation, and how well the seals are keeping water out into account.
Protecting Your Garage
Have you noticed your door acting strange after heavy rains? Larry Myers Garage Doors can help! As your trusted name in Portland for garage door services since 1973, we treat our customers as friends and neighbors, and you can count on us to provide excellent service at fair prices.
For all of your garage door repair needs, contact our team today.