Don’t Let Bad Weather Have A Negative Impact On Your Garage Door
As Las Vegas residents know, our desert climate brings unique challenges throughout the year. At Martin Garage Door of Nevada, we’ve seen firsthand how our local weather patterns can impact garage door performance. Though many homeowners don’t realize it, garage doors are surprisingly sensitive to seasonal changes—from summer heat waves to winter temperature drops and everything in between.
Understanding how weather affects your garage door is the first step toward preventing problems and extending the life of this important home component. Let’s explore the most common seasonal impacts we see in Las Vegas and the simple steps you can take to protect your investment.
If the weather has caused a problem with your garage door, call on our team to help. Reach us online or call 702-795-1000 today!
Weather Impact #1: Extreme Heat Causes Expansion
During Las Vegas summers, temperatures regularly climb above 100°F. This intense heat causes metal components in your garage door system to expand. Tracks can warp slightly, springs can lose tension faster, and the door panels themselves (especially if metal) can expand. This expansion often leads to binding or sticking when the door operates, creating unusual noises or jerky movements.
The electronic components aren’t immune either. Circuit boards in garage door openers can overheat and malfunction in extreme temperatures, particularly in poorly ventilated garages that trap heat.
Weather Impact #2: Sudden Temperature Changes Affect Lubrication
Las Vegas experiences significant temperature swings between day and night, especially during spring and fall. These fluctuations affect the lubricants on your garage door’s moving parts. When temperatures drop at night, lubricants thicken and become less effective. When temperatures rise rapidly during the day, these lubricants can thin out too much, leaving metal parts insufficiently protected.
This cycle of thickening and thinning accelerates wear on tracks, rollers, hinges, and springs—components that rely on proper lubrication to function smoothly and quietly.
Weather Impact #3: Dry Air Creates Static Electricity Issues
Our desert climate is notoriously dry, with humidity levels often dropping below 10%. This extreme dryness creates the perfect conditions for static electricity buildup. When static electricity accumulates in your garage door system, it can interfere with remote controls and safety sensors, causing intermittent operation issues or false reversals when closing.
Additionally, static discharge can potentially damage sensitive electronic components in modern opener systems, leading to control board failures that require professional repair.
Weather Impact #4: Dust & Wind Damage Mechanical Components
Las Vegas experiences seasonal wind events that carry fine desert dust and debris. This particulate matter inevitably finds its way into your garage door’s moving parts, creating a grinding paste when combined with lubricant. Over time, this abrasive mixture accelerates wear on rollers, tracks, and hinges.
Wind can also cause physical damage to door panels, particularly older or lighter-weight doors that may flex during strong gusts, potentially creating alignment issues that affect operation.
Solution #1: Schedule Seasonal Maintenance
The single most effective way to combat weather-related garage door issues is through regular professional maintenance. We recommend scheduling service in spring and fall to prepare your door for the upcoming seasonal extremes. During these visits, our technicians will adjust spring tension, check alignment, test safety features, and ensure all components are in optimal condition.
Professional maintenance catches small problems before they become major repairs, saving you money and preventing inconvenient breakdowns during heat waves or cold snaps.
Solution #2: Apply Weather-Appropriate Lubrication
Different seasons call for different lubrication approaches. For Las Vegas conditions, we recommend using a silicone-based lubricant rather than grease or oil-based products. Silicone lubricants perform better across our wide temperature range and resist dust accumulation better than traditional options.
Apply lubricant to hinges, rollers, springs, and the opener chain or screw drive every three months, wiping away excess to prevent dust buildup. During summer months, slightly more frequent application may be necessary due to expansion and higher operating temperatures.
Solution #3: Install Weather Stripping & Insulation
Quality weather stripping around your garage door creates a seal that keeps dust out and helps moderate temperature fluctuations inside your garage. This not only protects your door system but can also improve your home’s energy efficiency.
For doors with direct sun exposure, consider installing insulated garage door panels, which resist temperature-related expansion and contraction better than non-insulated alternatives. Insulation helps maintain more consistent temperatures in your garage, protecting both your door system and items stored inside.
Solution #4: Install A Smart Garage Door System
Modern smart garage door openers include features specifically designed to combat weather-related issues. These systems monitor operational temperature, adjust motor force based on conditions, and can even alert you to potential problems before they cause a breakdown.
Many smart systems also include battery backup options—particularly valuable during summer thunderstorms when power fluctuations can occur. Additionally, these systems offer remote monitoring, allowing you to check your door’s status from anywhere and operate it remotely if needed.
Contact Martin Garage Door Of Nevada For All Your Garage Door Needs
At Martin Garage Door of Nevada, we’re committed to helping Las Vegas homeowners maintain perfectly functioning garage doors regardless of what Mother Nature throws our way. If you’ve noticed any weather-related issues with your garage door or want to proactively protect your system, contact us at 702-795-1000 today for professional advice tailored to your specific door and location.
