The Importance of Regular Garage Door Maintenance: Your Coastal Home
Garage Door Maintenance for Coastal Homes: Protecting Your Door from Salt Air and Humidity
Affordable Openings are the largest garage door company on the Central Coast, specialising in Garage Door Maintenance for Coastal Homes. The Central Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in NSW so living near the coastline is an absolute dream. The stunning views, great coastal walks and fresh air make it an incredible and relaxing place to live. However, the things that make the central coast so appealing are also the reasons they can be pretty harsh on your home. The salty and moisture filled air can cause deterioration and rust on all areas of your home and unfortunately your garage door is no exception. Like any mechanical system, it requires regular maintenance especially living in a coastal climate. Over time, garage doors are exposed to daily wear and tear, weather changes, and environmental elements that can cause components to weaken, making your door less reliable.
Common Garage Door Problems for Coastal homes
At Affordable Opening, we understand that garage doors, like any other mechanical system, can experience a range of issues that require professional repair especially in a coastal environment. The coastal environment is harsher on materials, especially metals, due to salt in the air. Salt is highly corrosive and can cause significant wear on your garage door’s components, including:
- Metal parts like hinges, springs, and cables can rust more quickly due to constant exposure to salty air.
- Electrical components may be more prone to malfunction from humidity and moisture.
- Wooden doors can warp, swell, or crack due to high humidity and fluctuating temperatures.
- Paint and finishes may fade or peel faster from salt and sun exposure.
4 Ways to maintain your garage door between maintenance visits
Combat Rust with Regular Cleaning
Salt in the air can cause metal components of your garage door to rust over time. To prevent this, clean your garage door and its metal parts, such as hinges, springs, and tracks, at least once a month. Use fresh water and a mild detergent to wash off salt deposits, and ensure everything is thoroughly dry.
Lubricate Moving Parts Regularly
Salt air can dry out the moving parts of your garage door, leading to stiffness and increased friction. Regular lubrication is essential for smooth operation and preventing wear. Use a high-quality, silicone-based lubricant on all moving parts, including hinges, springs, rollers, and tracks, to ensure they stay rust-free and operate smoothly.
Check and Replace Weatherstripping
The weatherstripping at the bottom of your garage door is critical in coastal properties, as it helps protect your garage from moisture, sand, and debris. Check the weatherstripping regularly for signs of wear and replace it if it’s cracked or deteriorating. Quality weatherstripping can help prevent water intrusion and keep the interior of your garage dry, even during storms.
Inspect the Garage Door Opener
Coastal air can affect the electronic components of your automatic garage door opener, leading to malfunctions. Inspect the opener regularly for signs of corrosion or damage to the wiring. It’s a good idea to keep the opener’s remote and controls in a dry, enclosed area to prevent moisture from interfering with the electronics. Consider upgrading your automatic garage door opener to a model designed to withstand coastal environments for added durability.
The Importance of Garage Door Maintenance for your Central Coast Home.
It is really important to take care of garage door issues as soon as they come up. By dealing with these problems right away, you can prevent further damage and even avoid safety risks that could put you and your family in harm’s way.
If you ignore these issues you might end up facing some unpleasant consequences down the line. For instance, the repair costs could skyrocket because the problem has gotten worse over time. Additionally, your garage door might not function as well as it should, making it difficult to use. Worst of all, neglecting repairs can compromise the security of your home, leaving your belongings and loved ones more vulnerable to potential threats.
Affordable Openings offer fast and affordable garage door repairs and maintenance services for the Central Coast region. If you address your garage door issues promptly to save yourself time, money, and stress in the long run.
- Shelly Beach
- Forresters Beach
- Patonga Beach
- Terrigal
- Wamberal
- Umina Beach
- Avoca Beach
- Copacabanna
- Toowoon Bay
- Norah Head
What is included in our servicing?
We are able to repair all types of garage doors and openers from most brands on the market. Our repair turnaround time is fast and we can usually get your garage door back into working order quickly where replacement parts are available.
We will adjust your garage door, adjust the door tension and lubricate the moving parts with the correct lubricant. If the door has an automatic opener, we will check the limits, adjust the sensitivity, lubricate the appropriate parts and check the remote operation. If we find anything beginning to show signs of age, wear and tear, we will advise you on what the best and safest options are.
How often should I service my door?
- 1-2 years in salt affected areas.
- 4-5 years in non-salt affected areas
If we cannot repair your garage door on the spot because major repairs are needed or parts need to be ordered, we will provide you with an obligation free quote and your call out fee will not be charged.
Upgrade your Automatic Garage Door Opener?
If your automatic garage door opener is more than ten years old, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Affordable Openings has been an authorised dealer and repairer for Merlin for over 30 years. Merlin’s openers comply with the current Australian standards for safety, and all their products undergo a rigorous testing process to meet these standards.
All Merlin openers come standard with safety features such as Premium Automatic SafetyReverse, Automatic Force Sensing and an Emergency Manual Release Cord.
Reach out to us at Affordable Openings. Let’s ensure your garage door adds to the charm and security of your home for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you notice a problem during your inspection, it’s best to call Affordable Openings immediately rather than trying to fix it yourself. This will ensure the problem is correctly identified and safely resolved.