Storm-proofing one’s garage door is essential in protecting your home against the intense storms and hurricanes that may come your way. As these disasters wreak havoc on the streets or your home, it’s important to realize that your garage door takes some of the strongest hits against these natural disasters. Therefore, preparation is key, especially in Houston, Texas, where tropical storms and hurricanes are common and horrendous.
At Easy Garage Door Repair, we understand the importance of a garage door that’s strong and reliable enough to take the punishment of a major storm. Our professional team can demonstrate various methods to save you trouble before it begins.
Storm-Proofing your Garage Door: Understanding The Risks
Before we get on with the storm-proofing methods, it’s essential to know what risks a weak or unprotected garage door might bring to you during these severe weather catastrophes. Strong winds, flying debris, and heavy rain can create considerable to disastrous damage to your garage door, which could lead to the following:
- Structural Damage: A broken garage door allows high winds to enter your living space. This can cause pressure to create imbalances and structural damage to your house, which may ultimately destroy your home.
- Flooding: With a damaged garage door, nothing stops water from seeping in and may eventually create water damage. Flood waters are hard to clean up. Still, they can also cause significant damage to the house, such as mold growth and property damage.
- Safety Hazards: An inoperative garage door can jeopardize your and your family’s safety. This can include injury from flying debris or the door collapsing on top of you.
How to Properly Storm-Proof Your Garage Door
1. Install a Wind-Resistant Garage Door.
Among the most effective methods for storm-proofing your garage door is to replace it with a wind-resistant model. Such doors are built to handle winds of excessive power and conform with varying local building regulations designed to protect buildings against storms and hurricanes. When installed correctly, they can save you much trouble later on.
Features of Wind-Resistant Garage Doors:
- Reinforced Panels: The doors have reinforced panels for extra strength and durability.
- Heavy-Duty Tracks: The rugged track is designed to keep the door in place even during high winds.
- Bracing Systems: Internal systems of bracing help balance wind pressure on the door all around, preventing it from folding in during strong wind surges.
2. Add Reinforcement Kits
If your garage door can’t be replaced, consider adding a reinforcement kit. These kits will give you added support to help your door take on high winds, heavy rainfall, and debris impacts.
Components of a Reinforcement Kit will include the following:
- Horizontal Braces: Metal braces that run across your door’s entire width, increasing its strength and stability.
- Vertical Braces: Braces that run vertically along the height of your door add extra support.
- Anchoring Hardware: Heavy-duty anchors that fasten braces to the frame and door.
3. Install Impact-Resistant Windows
If your garage door has windows, consider upgrading them with shatter-resistant glass. In addition, impact-resistant windows are also a wise investment for long-term home improvement and security. These windows are designed to absorb flying debris and high winds, significantly reducing the risk of breakage during a storm.
Benefits of Impact-Resistant Windows include:
- Improved Protection: Fends off the debris and keeps it from entering the garage, possibly creating additional problems.
- Increased Security: Offers an added level of defense against break-ins and vandalism.
- Energy Efficiency: Many models of impact-resistant windows are also energy-efficient, which is good news for the temperature of your garage.
4. Seal Gaps and Cracks
Sealing gaps and cracks in your garage door can prevent rainwater from penetrating during heavy downpours and lessen the threat of flooding. It can also strengthen your garage door’s balance by effectively adding to its defense.
Steps to Seal Gaps and Cracks:
- Inspect the Perimeter: Walk all around your garage door and inspect it closely. Be alert for gaps, cracks, or holes that need immediate work.
- Add Weatherstripping: Use weatherstripping to seal gaps all around the door. This stiff material can be pushed right up against an opening and kept flush with the wall, ceiling, or flooring to keep water or wind out.
- Apply Caulk: If there is a hole or crack in the door jamb that is visible from the outside, it might be time to apply some caulk to eliminate water leakage through the frame’s gaps between the studs and its jambs or to fill these areas with fire blocking foam.
5. Put Up Flood Barriers
Flood barriers are a great way to help protect your garage from flooding during heavy rains or other water hazards. They consist of a series of barriers typically placed at ground level near the entrance to the garage.
Types of Flood Barriers:
- Removable Flood Shields: These panels can be installed and removed according to your current needs. Whether that is stopping water from entering here when you want to close up your door or otherwise blocking off access entirely.
- Permanent Flood Barriers: These are fixed barriers installed at ground level along the entrance to your garage door to offer continuous protection against gushes of flood water that want to penetrate your garage.
6. Reinforce the Garage Door Opener
A sturdy and reliable garage door opener can help ensure that your door remains firmly closed in the event of a storm. Consider upgrading to an opener with a battery backup and better security features. It can also offer security protection against potential break-ins.
Features of a Storm-Proof Garage Door Opener:
- Battery Backup: In case of a power failure, this system ensures that your garage door can still be opened.
- Strong Motor: A robust motor can provide the force needed to keep the door closed in shallow water.
- For Security Features: Openers with rolling code technology and automatic locking mechanisms are recommended.
7. Regular Maintenance and Checks
Regular maintenance and checks are imperative for making sure your garage door stays in good shape and can deal with severe weather conditions. In addition, post-storm checks are equally important to ensure that your garage door is still in top shape after such conditions or if it needs any minor improvements.
Maintenance Tips:
- Lubricate Moving Parts: Regularly lubricate the hinges, rollers, and tracks to prevent the door from jamming.
- Tighten Hardware: Secure the bolts, screws, and brackets regularly to ensure they’re not at risk of falling apart during storms or strong winds.
- Inspect the Door: Look for signs of wear and tear, such as rust, dents, or cracks. It is crucial to fix these problems before they are worse.
Your garage door can save your life when severe weather strikes. To make your garage safer, install a wind-resistant door, purchase reinforcement kits, and seal gaps. With regular maintenance, the strength of your garage door will be greatly enhanced.
At Easy Garage Door Repair, we want to help homeowners in Houston, Texas, prepare for adverse weather. Our years of expertise and knowledge in the industry helps us in providing quality service for our customers. We provide only the best services and experiences for our customers.
Give us a call now and let us sell you the best advice, most skilled workmanship, and first-class maintenance services– all cost-free in case of any need, as one phone is all it takes for our garage door agents to spring into action!
