Can you do anything to mitigate damage to your garage door in case of a tornado? Tornadoes are a terrifying force of nature. With completely unpredictable paths and high winds that can devastate entire communities, there’s no wonder homeowners seek ways to protect their homes when severe weather threatens their livelihoods.
And much of that concern focuses on external parts of the house, like patios or your garage. After all, they are significantly more vulnerable to storms.
Here’s what every homeowner should know to avoid damage to their garage door.
Have Routine Inspections
Scheduling inspections or tune-up services acts as insurance for your door. The more damaged or malfunctioning your door already is, the more vulnerable it is to severe weather.
A professional garage door tech can also tell you if your garage door is tornado resistant. If it’s not, you can always upgrade to a new door made to withstand high winds.
Brace Your Door
You can activate braces whenever there’s a tornado warning in your area. They’ll give your door some added strength to weather the weather until it passes. It’s wise to check the wind resistance rating for your braces if you’re out buying one and to make sure that it’s made of a strong material like aluminum.
Note that you won’t secure your braces unless there’s an imminent threat, as having them on means your door can’t open. Your braces’ efficacy also depends on how old and healthy your door is; doors that are in bad shape won’t hold against a tornado, regardless of how well you reinforce them.
Remember Your Other Garage Elements
Your garage door windows are likely just as vulnerable to storm damage, so make sure they are well-kept. You can also use impact-resistant glass as an added failsafe. Broken windows make it easy for the wind to carry debris from the outside in or pull things out and into the garage door.
It would help if you also had a trench drain by your garage to redirect water away from your home. Water can cause permanent damage to your door, especially if it’s made of wood. These precautions benefit the whole of your garage, so they’re worth looking into.
Stay Safe with an Inspection From Larry Myers Garage Doors
Is your head spinning from all this tornado talk? Don’t worry — Larry Myers Garage Doors is here to help. We can assist you with ensuring proper protection for your garage door so you can put those weather worries to rest. Contact our team today to learn more.