Homeowners often wait until a hurricane threat becomes imminent to address garage door security, which may be too late.

Taking a proactive approach is essential for protecting your property. While no measures can guarantee complete safety during a hurricane, there are steps you can take to help reduce potential damage. To ensure your garage door is prepared for a hurricane, there are steps homeowners can take as well as specialized services a garage door professional can provide.

For the Homeowner,

Sealing and Cleaning:

- Seal Cracks: Seal any gaps or cracks along the wall and garage door interface with weatherstripping or caulk to prevent water intrusion.

- Remove Debris: Clear the area of branches, loose objects, or debris that could pose a hazard or cause damage.

- Ensure Proper Drainage: Verify that drainage around the garage is adequate to prevent water accumulation and related damage.

Securing the Door:

- Confirm Closure: Ensure the garage door is fully closed and properly locked.

- Manual Operation: Be familiar with the manual release mechanism to open or close the door manually and exit the garage safely.

- Additional Locks: Engage manual slide locks for added security during storm conditions.- Protect Windows: If the garage door features windows, consider installing storm shutters or boarding them up with plywood.

- Disconnect Power: Unplug the garage door opener during storms to prevent electrical damage.

Contact your Garage Door Professional for things such as:

Reinforcing the Garage Door:

- Install Reinforcement Braces: Attach steel or aluminum braces to the interior of the garage door to enhance support and prevent displacement during high winds. (This is a primary reason for installing wind-rated doors.)

- Consider Additional Panels: Use hurricane panels or braces, especially for doors with windows, to provide extra protection.

- Replace the worn or corroded bottom seal along the bottom of the garage door to prevent water, insects, and animals from entering your garage.

Regular Maintenance:

- Inspection and Tightening: Regularly inspect hardware and components for signs of wear and tighten any loose bolts or fasteners.

- Lubrication: Properly lubricate moving parts, including the opener’s chain or belt and overhead torsion springs.

- Balance Check: Confirm that the garage door is properly balanced to reduce undue stress on springs and related parts.

Additional Recommendations:

- Upgrade to Hurricane-Rated Doors: For older or non-impact-resistant doors, consider replacing them with models built to withstand storm conditions.