High winds and extreme weather are common in Florida, and they can severely damage your garage door and home. Your garage door is one of the most susceptible areas of your home to storm damage because it’s the largest and frailest opening. While local regulations and standards in Florida require all garage doors to be WindCode® rated for enhanced hurricane resistance, damage still occurs, especially during hurricane season.
When a storm damages your garage door, you’ll probably need a repair or replacement. Your insurance company can help you plan your next steps, and you can then hire a garage door specialist to complete the project.
Storms That Cause Damage to Garage Doors
Even mild weather can harm your garage doors. The main weather conditions that can damage garage doors in Florida are hurricanes, hail, thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Hurricane season is from June 1 through Nov. 30, and the high winds from hurricanes are hazardous to people and property. Scientists rank hurricanes on a scale of one to five, with a Category 5 hurricane being the most severe, but even storms on the lower end of the scale can cause damage. A Category 1 hurricane has winds ranging from 74 to 95 mph, and a hurricane falls under Category 5 if its winds are higher than 155 mph. Likewise, thunderstorms can have winds that exceed 120 mph, and the wind from tornadoes can reach 300 mph.
High winds are the primary factor that makes hurricanes and other storms so damaging to garage doors. When wind hits a garage door, it can loosen the individual panels, bend or twist the door and cause the door to come off the track. Flooding from hurricanes and thunderstorms can also damage the door and even smash debris like tree limbs into the door, causing dents.
Florida sees occasional hailstorms, and strong winds can forcefully blow the hail directly at your garage door, leading to dents, broken panels and other damage.
4 Steps to Take to Fix a Garage Door After a Storm
If a storm blows through your neighborhood and affects your home, you should take several steps to repair the damage. Here are four tips for fixing a storm-damaged garage door.
1. Assess the Damage
After a storm ends, the first thing to do is go outside and inspect your garage door for any signs of damage. You may notice dents, bent or broken panels, or your door may be off its frame. You should also check to see if the garage door seems misaligned and ensure it opens and closes smoothly and without an issue. You shouldn’t try to force your garage door open or shut if it’s not operating as expected. The springs or cables may have taken damage in the storm, and many garage door parts work under high tension, so it’s dangerous to try to force it into motion or do any DIY repairs.
2. Photograph the Damage
Next, take pictures of your entire garage door, so you have specific proof of the damage. You should take photos at different angles, so the full scope of the damage is evident. Also, ensure at least one of the snapshots shows the entire garage door. If possible, try to take a picture that also shows your street number somewhere in the image for further evidence that it’s your garage.
3. Contact Insurance Company
You must contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the damage occurs. Your insurance agent will likely require photographs to assess the damage on their end and complete an insurance claim. The insurance provider may choose to have someone come to your house to inspect the damage in person, but it depends on the company. It’s a good idea to discuss the deductible cost for the repair with your insurance agent. If the damage isn’t severe, it may save you time and money to have a professional garage door repair service fix the door without getting your insurance company involved. You can have a garage door technician look at the damage and give you a quote before deciding.
4. Contact a Professional
You’ll need to contact a licensed garage door repair company to repair or replace your storm-damaged garage door. If you plan on having your insurance policy cover the repairs’ cost, they may have requirements for which company you can choose. In some cases, the insurance company may have you get quotes from a few different garage door companies to get the best price. A professional can assess the full extent of the damage and inspect all the door’s mechanical aspects to ensure that it’s safe for you to continue using. They’ll also provide you with the best options for your specific situation.
How to Identify Storm Damage to Your Garage Door
Once it’s safe to do so after a storm ends, thoroughly inspect your garage door for any signs of damage or malfunction. Not all garage door damage from a storm will be immediately visible. Damage may also occur throughout the garage door’s internal workings. Take the following steps to identify any internal or external damage to your garage door.
- Open and close the door: Try to use the automatic garage door opener if you have one. The garage door should open and close smoothly. Pay attention to how it opens and try to recall if you notice any differences with how it works now versus how it operated before the storm. You shouldn’t try to force the door closed or open if it gets stuck while in motion because damaged springs or cables can be hazardous.
- Listen for odd noises: When your garage door is moving, listen to the noises it makes. Wind may have damaged the garage door if you hear any unusual noises.
- Examine the exterior of the door: You should look closely for any signs of physical damage on the outside of your garage door. Damage can include dents, loose or broken panels and a bent door.
- Check to see if the door is even: High winds may cause the springs to become misaligned or damage the cables, resulting in the door laying unevenly or sagging. Using your garage door when the springs are off-track can cause more damage over time.
Contact The Doorman to Inspect and Repair Your Storm-Damaged Garage Door
At The Doorman of Southeast Florida, we’re a family-run business of over 20 years, and we’re here to help you repair or replace your garage door after a storm. With our customer-first philosophy, we proudly provide premium service for all your garage door needs. We offer a range of Clopay® hurricane garage doors to suit your style and enhance your home’s curb appeal. If your garage doors need some care, we offer a $39.95 garage door tune-up.
Fill out this form for a free quote, call us at 561-272-3667 or contact us online to get your garage door back in perfect condition.
