How to Keep Your Garage Door Secure During a Hurricane
Keeping your home protected and free from damage is paramount when a hurricane is about to strike the area where you live, and the garage door should be the first area you look to when attempting to ascertain how secure or otherwise your home is. You don’t want wind to get inside your home, as this could create dangerous pressure that could damage your house. The garage door is typically among the most vulnerable aspects of a house, as these doors can be crafted from cheaper materials or could be lesser in overall quality if you’ve had it installed in your home for more than ten years. Before a hurricane hits, consider the following guidelines when keeping your garage door secure and protected.
Consider Upgrading Your Garage Door
If your door is over 10 years old or has become damaged for any number of reasons, it may be time to consider replacing and upgrading your door. Some garage doors are outfitted with a wind pressure rating, which means that the door has been equipped with installation parts and materials that allows it to withstand high winds, increasing the chances that it will remain secure in its place. If the material on your door has weakened, you might also wish to consider changing to a door with more durable materials, such as a steel door or an aluminum door with a fiberglass overlay.
Contact a Professional to Inspect the Structural Integrity of Your Door
Before a hurricane arrives, have your garage door checked out in order to identify the current structural integrity of the door. A qualified technician will be able to evaluate your door as well as the track and springs within to see if any repairs or additional hardware is necessary. A weakened door could prove troublesome in keeping your home safe and secure during a hurricane, which is what a professional will be able to spot.
Consider Using a Garage Door Bracing System
Vertical bracing systems are made of durable materials, such as high-grade aluminum or steel, and are able to anchor to the garage floor as well as the wall above the door. Having several of these braces installed should help your door resist maximum winds. If ever your garage door has become damaged, consider making use of Henderson garage repair services to fix the issue.