There’s no doubt that living in San Diego comes with a lot of different perks like sunny skies and beautiful weather for the majority of the year. However, it does offer a unique coastal climate that can take a toll on the various components of your home. As a knowledgeable homeowner, it’s important to be proactive in understanding how a coastal climate can affect your garage doors and taking necessary precautions to prevent unnecessary damage.
Coast Climate Leads to Door Corrosion
One of the biggest problems of living in a coastal climate is that it can lead to corrosion of your garage door. This corrosion is the result of a couple of different factors. One of the most common is salt air, as the salt can prematurely corrode metal components.
A combination of marine layers and morning dew supplies constant moisture, which further accelerates the corrosion process. Even the constant temperature fluctuations between extremely hot days and mild evenings can allow condensation to develop on the surface of your garage door, which will contribute to rust.
The Risks of a Corroding Garage Door
When you first look at a corroded garage door, you may think that rust is no more than just a simple eyesore. While it’s true that rust can cause aesthetic problems, which can reduce your property value, that’s not the only effect that it can have. When rust is able to continue forming over time, it can lead to a variety of different issues that can shorten the lifespan of your garage door.
Over time, corrosion can eat away at the structural components of your door, making it weaker. This can leave you more susceptible to security risks, as a weakened door is much easier to break into than one that’s in good condition. There’s no shortage of reasons why having a corroded garage door isn’t a good idea for any homeowner.
Select the Right Door Material
The material that your garage door is made of can also have a big impact on its overall longevity in a coastal climate. Four of the most popular door styles are wood, fiberglass, aluminum, and steel. Steel is a popular garage door option because it’s extremely affordable and very strong. However, steel is very susceptible to rusting, making it a must to have this door material powder-coated with a rust-resistant top layer.
Aluminum is another common choice because of its vast affordability and resistance to rust. However, keep in mind that while aluminum can be lighter weight, it’s also more susceptible to dents and damage than steel. Fiberglass and composite garage doors are becoming a popular favorite because they’re resistant to rust and highly durable.
Wood garage doors tend to be a favorite among those looking for a particular high-class style for their garage door. However, wood is very susceptible to warping due to the humid coastal climate. This requires a lot of upkeep, as you’ll need to make sure you properly seal your wood garage door to keep it in good working condition.
Ensure a Protective Coating
One really useful tip to maintain the longevity of your garage door in a coastal climate is to apply a protective top coat. You can use something as simple as wax to create a barrier to prevent unwanted moisture and salt from penetrating the metal surface. We highly suggest applying this top coat every three to four months for the best results.
Get Rust-Resistant Hardware
Your garage door has a lot of hardware that allows it to function correctly. These include everything from fasteners, hinges, bolts, springs, and so much more. With the coastal climate being very damaging to exposed metal, it’s important to purchase hardware that’s specifically designed to be rust-resistant. These have a specialized top coat, like a zinc coating, that is resistant to rust to extend the longevity of the hardware.
Keep Up With Regular Door Washings
Another great tactic for extending the longevity of your garage door in San Diego is to wash it regularly. We suggest washing your door at least once a month to help remove any residue that could otherwise harbor salt. Use a mild soap with warm water and scrub away any stuck-on debris.
Invest in Annual Door Inspections
One part of preventative garage door maintenance that you never want to overlook is getting professional service. We recommend professional service annually to catch any issues with your garage door before they turn into larger problems. This is great for catching areas of rust so that they can be properly treated before they start corroding your door. It’s also great for replacing any worn-out components that could otherwise leave your door susceptible to weather damage.
Keep Gaps Properly Sealed
With the sun exposure, salt, and high humidity, it’s vitally important to ensure that your garage door is properly sealed. You should always have weatherstripping surrounding your door to prevent water or pests from coming inside. Because of the coastal climate conditions in San Diego, it’s generally recommended to replace the weatherstripping every year. In fact, many homeowners find it easiest to have one of our professionals install new weatherstripping when we’re doing their annual door service.
Consider an Awning
If you really want to get the longest lifespan possible out of your garage door, a great option is to invest in an awning or canopy. This will prevent heavy wind gusts from driving saltwater into your garage door. The less your door comes into contact with salty air and water, the less damage it’s going to incur over time.
Use a Dehumidifier
If you frequently notice that your garage always seems to be humid, you could benefit from installing a dehumidifier. By putting a dehumidifier in your garage, you can remove some of that excess moisture that could otherwise cause deterioration of your garage door. This is a simple yet effective solution for protecting many of the components from excessive humidity and unwanted rust development.
Get Prompt Repairs When Necessary
One of the best things you can do to minimize the damage that rust can cause to your garage door is to get prompt garage door repair services when you first notice rust development. It can be easy to let it go, as it may not seem like a big deal. However, the longer you let rust sit on your garage door, the more likely it is to eat away at its material. When you call our professionals for repair service, we’ll take care of promptly removing the rust and repainting your door to prevent future rust from developing.
Expert Garage Door Maintenance Service
ADS Automatic Door Specialists offers expert garage door maintenance services for the San Diego, CA community. Our garage door professionals can also help with all your new garage door installation, replacement, and prompt repair needs. Just phone our friendly office staff today to book your next service appointment with one of our helpful garage door experts.
