The blazing summer heat of Las Vegas, NV, doesn’t just impact people, it can also take a toll on your garage door. With temperatures regularly climbing over 100°F, the intense heat can negatively affect both the mechanical components and the overall functionality of your garage door system. Understanding how hot weather impacts garage doors can help you prevent breakdowns and prolong the life of your system. With this in mind, we at AAA Action Garage Doors would like to discuss how the hot weather in the Las Vegas desert impacts the garage door’s performance.
Expansion of Metal Components
Most garage doors contain metal parts, springs, tracks, screws, and hinges, that expand when heated. In the extreme Las Vegas heat, these components can swell or shift slightly out of alignment. This expansion may cause the door to move unevenly, grind along the tracks, or struggle to open and close smoothly. Over time, it can lead to wear and tear or even damage to key parts if not addressed.
Dried-Out Garage Door Lubrication
Lubricants on garage door springs, rollers, and chains are essential for quiet, smooth operation. However, excessive heat can break down these lubricants more quickly than normal. Once lubrication begins to dry out, friction increases, which puts additional strain on the opener and other moving parts. This can result in squeaking noises, slower movement, or premature mechanical failure if left un-serviced.
Malfunctioning Electronics
Your garage door opener is essentially a small computer, and computers and extreme heat don’t mix well. The electronics in openers can overheat and malfunction when temperatures in the garage rise dramatically. This might lead to intermittent failure of remote controls, sensors, or automatic settings. In some cases, the opener itself may shut down to prevent internal damage.
Weakened Weather Stripping & Seals
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause rubber weather stripping along the bottom and sides of your garage door to dry out, crack, and shrink. As these seals deteriorate, they allow hot air, dust, and even pests to enter your garage more easily, reducing your home’s energy efficiency and potentially damaging items stored inside.
Increased Wear on Insulated Doors
Even insulated garage doors can struggle under the Las Vegas sun. If the insulation is poor or outdated, the heat can still seep through and raise interior garage temperatures to uncomfortable or unsafe levels. This is especially important for homes where the garage is used as a workspace or storage area for temperature-sensitive items.
How to Protect Your Garage Door in the Heat
Regular maintenance is key to minimizing the effects of heat on your garage door system. Here are a few tips:
– Schedule seasonal inspections and tune-ups.
– Reapply lubricant to moving parts every few months.
– Install or upgrade insulation and ventilation in your garage.
– Consider a heat-resistant or UV-reflective garage door material.
– Replace damaged weather stripping to maintain a tight seal.
Garage Door Services in Aliante, Centennial, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Lone Mountain Village, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, Tuscany Village, Whitney, Winchester & Las Vegas Nevada
Las Vegas summers can be brutal, not just for people, but for garage doors too. Taking a proactive approach with routine maintenance and heat-preventive upgrades will help ensure your garage door continues to operate safely and efficiently throughout the scorching months. Call AAA Action Garage Doors for superior garage door services.
