Natural disasters like high winds, tornadoes and hailstorms can inflict extensive damage to your garage door. Use these 20 tips to ensure your garage door can withstand natural disasters in the Fort Worth area.
1. Install a Sturdier Track
If your door has an old track or one that is flimsy, you should replace it with a sturdier one. A sturdy, reliable track can help your door hold up better during high winds and violent storms. It can also keep the garage door from coming partially or entirely loose.
2. Reinforce the Garage Door
You can also reinforce the garage door to help it withstand natural disasters. Reinforcing it can include installing plywood or 2x4s on the inside to maximize wind resistance. You can also reinforce it by adding wood to the outside panels to make it more resistant to inclement weather.
3. Install Storm Shutters
If your garage door has glass windows, you need to protect them from cracks, chips and shattering. You can keep the windows intact by installing storm shutters on your garage door. Cover the windows with the shutters during stormy weather and high winds, and then, open the shutters after the storm passes.
4. Install Hurricane-Resistant Doors
Storms that pass through the Fort Worth area can have winds that reach hurricane strength. Despite not living in a hurricane-prone area, you can install hurricane-resistant garage doors that can tolerate even the stormiest of weather. They will not buckle or crack during thunderstorms and windy weather.
5. Check and Replace the Hinges and Rollers
Rusty or broken door hinges and rollers make your garage door vulnerable to damage during natural disasters. You should inspect these parts regularly and replace them as needed to ensure your garage door can better withstand elements like hail, forceful winds, heavy rain and other inclement weather.
6. Disengage the Door Opener
During high winds, you should disengage the opener to prevent damage to your garage door. Ensure the door is closed before pulling the red cord and listening for a click. Once you hear a click, pull the red cord toward the inside of the garage to make sure the door opener is fully disengaged.
7. Manually Lock the Door
You can also manually lock the garage door to help it withstand natural disasters better. This tip provides an extra measure of secure contact. It also ensures high winds cannot blow open the door, potentially making it come loose or hang askew.
8. Install a Secondary Lock
If you have doubts about how well your door’s current lock will hold up during a disaster, consider adding a secondary lock to the door. This secondary lock can back up your first lock and work in conjunction with it to keep the door securely in place during high winds or storms.
9. Manually Lift and Lower the Door
Manually lifting and lowering the door during windy weather or heavy thunderstorms can better protect it. It allows you to hang on to the door tightly, preventing the wind from catching and loosening the door. It also prevents the stormy weather from crashing the door down, leading to damage, such as split panels and broken windows.
10. Board the Windows
When the weather forecast calls for storms, protect your garage door by boarding up its windows. Placing sturdy plywood over the windows protects it from flying debris, like hailstones and tree branches. This tip also minimizes the likelihood of you having to buy new replacement windows.
11. Secure Loose Items on Your Property
You can also protect your garage doors from damage during storms and extreme winds by securing loose items on your property. Bringing in your patio table and chairs, using zip ties to tie your grill to the porch or deck railing and storing toys and bikes in your garage or shed prevents these items from crashing into the door and inflicting damage to it.
12. Keep an Eye on Your Door
During a disaster, like a violent thunderstorm or windstorm, keep an eye on your door and monitor it for damage. Ensure it remains securely closed and be ready to hire a door technician to repair it if it does suffer some damage during a natural disaster.
13. Use Impact-Rated Materials
If your door needs repairs or any part of it replaced, our team can use impact-rated materials for these projects. These materials include fused glass and high-strength polycarbonate that not only tolerate forceful winds but also handle the force of windborne objects, such as tree branches and hail.
14. Replace Your Old Door
If it’s more than a decade old, you may want to replace your garage door before the next natural disaster occurs. Old materials, like wood and glass, can wear thin and become weak over time. New doors can better withstand inclement weather and minimize your repair costs after the weather clears.
15. Install Wind-Loaded Garage Doors
When you need to replace an old garage door, consider having a wind-loaded garage door installed. These doors come with specific components, such as jamb brackets and reinforced struts, that withstand high wind pressures and tolerate windborne debris impact.
16. Check for Weak Points
You should inspect your garage door every few months to check it for weak points. Weak points are often the first areas of the door to suffer damage during a natural disaster. Our company can reinforce or replace those areas to ensure your door lasts longer.
17. Use High-Quality Materials
If you need your current garage door repaired or plan to have a new garage door built, use high-quality materials in this project. The best materials to use include aluminum, steel and treated wood. They can also include vinyl, composite and fiberglass.
18. Follow the Local Building Codes
The local building codes in the Fort Worth area take into account natural disasters, like tornadoes and thunderstorms. When having an expert repair or replace your door, be sure to follow these local codes. Your door may have a better chance of withstanding inclement weather.
19. Install a Flood Barrier
You can also help the garage door survive a flood by installing a flood barrier, also known as a flood wall. It provides your door with a sturdy line of resistance during heavy rainfall. It also helps keep the inside of your garage dry.
20. Ensure Your Door Receives Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance can make your garage door more resistant to natural disasters. A thorough garage door tune-up service can involve checking the door for damage and replacing components like hinges and springs. You should schedule this service for your door at least once a year.
Our garage door service team at Door Works Garage Doors has more than 30 years of experience installing, maintaining and repairing people’s garage doors in the Fort Worth area. We also install weather stripping and gates to make your home more secure and maximize its value. As a family-owned garage door business, our team works on doors from leading garage door brands. Contact us today at Door Works Garage Doors to learn more about our garage door services!
