In Mississippi, our homes endure a unique set of weather challenges—from sweltering, humid summers and heavy rains to the ever-present threat of storm season. These conditions can take a toll on the largest moving part of your home: your garage door. Regular, season-specific maintenance is key to ensuring its reliability, safety, and longevity. Here’s a checklist of essential tips to keep your garage door in top shape year-round on the Gulf Coast.
Tip 1: Combat the Humidity with Lubrication
Mississippi's high humidity is the biggest enemy of your garage door's metal components. It accelerates rust and corrosion, which can cause parts to seize up and fail prematurely. A little lubrication goes a long way.
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What to Do: Twice a year (in the spring and fall), apply a high-quality, lithium- or silicone-based garage door lubricant to all moving parts, including springs, hinges, rollers, and tracks.
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What to Avoid: Never use heavy grease or WD-40, as they can attract dirt and gum up the mechanisms.
Tip 2: Inspect and Fortify for Storm Season
Before the storm season peaks, it's crucial to ensure your garage door is a strong barrier against high winds and driving rain. A failure during a storm can lead to catastrophic damage to your home.
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Perform a Balance Test: Disconnect the opener and lift the door manually. It should stay open about halfway up. If it slams down or flies up, the springs are unbalanced and need professional adjustment. An unbalanced door is much more likely to fail under pressure.
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Check Your Seals: Inspect the rubber weather seal at the bottom of the door. If it's cracked, brittle, or has gaps, replace it to keep rain and debris from flooding your garage.
Tip 3: Beat the Summer Heat and Pests
An unsealed garage door in a Mississippi summer is an open invitation for heat, humidity, and unwanted critters. A well-sealed door can help keep your garage cooler and more comfortable.
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Inspect Weather Stripping: Check the vinyl or rubber stripping along the sides and top of the door frame. Ensure it's making firm contact with the door to create a proper seal.
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Keep Pests Out: A tight seal not only helps with temperature control but is also your first line of defense against insects and other pests looking for shelter.
Tip 4: Test Safety Features (A Year-Round Must)
This is the most important maintenance task of all. Your garage door's safety features are there to protect your family, pets, and property from harm. Test them monthly.
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Photo-Eye Test: With the door open, press the close button and wave an object (like a broom handle) in the path of the sensors near the bottom of the door. The door should immediately reverse.
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Reversal Test: Place a sturdy object, like a roll of paper towels or a block of wood, on the ground in the door's path. When the closing door makes contact, it should automatically reverse. If it doesn't, the opener's force settings need professional adjustment.
