While living in Gainesville has its perks when it comes to beautiful weather, it also means that those who call it home are no strangers to a fierce storm. While the wind dies down and the rain comes to a stop, it is only natural to want to check for major damage to the roof or windows. However, one of the biggest and most utilized entryways into a home is often overlooked after a storm: the garage door. It has endured the full force of the wind, rain, and other particles that came its way. Which is why a professional tune-up after a storm is not just a necessity; it is a necessity when it comes to a household's safety and security.
The Hidden Damage You Cannot See
Once a storm ends, the garage door is probably the last thing you look at. It might seem fine from the outside, even though there is internal door damage, and it is invisible to you, the untrained eye. High winds can push the door, which causes the brackets to become loose or the cables to slip just slightly out of their drums. These small movements cause the door system to be off balance. The door may still open and close, but this out-of-balance condition greatly overworks the opener and the springs. Expert technicians from companies like Door Pro America in Gainesville, VA, can accurately identify the hiding spots of the accumulated stress even before it leads to the breakdown of the system.
Prevent a Costly Spring Failure
Torsion springs on garage doors are the ones that handle the heavy part of the work, literally. They offset the weight of the door so that it can be opened without any difficulty. In a storm, the door being violently shaken and rattled can not only weaken these springs but also cause them to give up their exact tension. A spring that has been broken down is a major safety risk. If a spring snaps during a storm, the dolly needs to be replaced immediately. However, if it is simply overworked, tinkering can get it back to the right tension levels. Doing it this way in regular maintenance is considerably cheaper than waiting for a spring to break at midnight.
Keep the Weather Seal Intact
The horizontal rain associated with Gainesville storms challenges every seal on the home. The seal around the bottom and sides of the garage door is meant to keep the rain out. Debris brought by the strong winds of the storms may rip the seal on the garage door. If the seal is torn, the next rainstorm will bring water pouring into the garage. During the tune-up, the seal will be checked for cracks and openings. If it needs to be replaced, it will be. This simple repair will keep belongings dry in the garage and keep moisture out of the home’s foundation.
Ensure the Auto-Reverse Sensors Work
Garage doors today are equipped with safety sensors that prevent them from closing on something or someone. Storms can cause power surges or a strike on the opener unit from a lightning bolt. Additionally, the safety sensors on the floor could be knocked out of alignment by debris or shifting foundations. As part of a tune-up service, safety sensors are checked.
Lubricate Moving Parts After Rain
Water is the enemy of metal moving parts. The storm causes moisture to seep into the hinges, rollers, and tracks. This moisture can cause the formation of rust much faster than normal humidity. Rust causes friction, and friction causes the opener to work harder and fail faster. A professional tune-up from companies like Door Pro America in Gainesville, VA, involves lubricating all moving parts with a high-quality lubricant. This lubricates the door to ensure silent and efficient working, washing away any moisture that entered during the storm.
Restore Balance for Opener Longevity
Although the garage door opener is a powerful motor, it is not designed to support the entire weight of the garage door by itself. It is designed to lift a garage door that does the majority of the work and is perfectly balanced. However, the garage door opener must push and pull the unbalanced weight if the storm has made the garage door unbalanced. This greatly shortens the garage door opener's lifespan by placing a great deal of strain on it. The garage door opener will be disconnected during the tuning process in order to manually check the garage door's balance.
A storm in Gainesville tests the resilience of a home, and the garage door is on the front lines. Ignoring the potential damage can lead to inconvenient breakdowns, costly repairs, and safety risks. Investing in a professional garage door tune-up after a severe weather event is a smart decision for any homeowner. It provides an opportunity to catch small issues before they escalate. With the system properly maintained and balanced, the family can rest easier, knowing their home is secure and ready for whatever weather comes next.
