Garage doors and humidity are not friends. Condensation takes its toll on garage door parts. But it will also cause damage in the garage. So, you have two fronts to battle but one enemy. And although this might seem like good news, it’s hard to beat condensation which is formed during the winter and spring. What you can do though is take measures to minimize the levels of humidity inside the garage and thus prevent damage.
The effects of humidity on garage doors
Whether you own steel or wood garage doors, humidity will be a problem. And that’s just one of your concerns. The construction material of your garage door determines the effects of humidity. With stainless steel and aluminum garage doors, you won’t have a problem. But wood and steel become damaged without proper treatment. So when you choose a new garage door in areas prone to high levels of moisture, think of the consequences and invest in the proper materials.
Humidity causes corrosion. Although most steel garage doors are made of stainless steel, do make sure of that. The good news is that today you can buy stainless steel garage door parts too. You can even get galvanized springs and so stop worrying about corrosion. But you must bear in mind that these types of garage door springs are not as durable as oil-tempered springs and might need regular adjustment.
But when it comes to garage door tracks, most assemblies are made of stainless steel. But if the rollers are plain steel, they might cause damage. That’s because they run in tracks and scratches are unavoidable unless you keep them lubricated. That’s where maintenance comes to make more sense. Another solution is to get nylon garage door rollers.
The problems with humidity and your residential garage doors is that corrosion is bad news. Should parts become rusty, the door will make noises. And that’s the least of your problems. Rusty parts under the pressure of the heavy door might break easy. So, do choose stainless steel parts, make sure they are fastened properly, and lubricate as much as needed.
Humidity is bad news for the garage too
Don’t underestimate the importance of keeping the garage free of moisture too. Although investing in stainless steel overhead garage door parts and lubrication is one way of eliminating moisture, you also need to check the drainage system, avoid keeping wet laundry in the room, control ventilation & temperatures etc. Such measures are important for the avoidance of mold infestation and thus health problems and property damage.
Is your garage door responsible for the indoor humidity?
Not only will your overhead door be affected by humidity but might also be the reason for the high indoor levels of moisture. One of the reasons for this problem is its large size. Don’t forget that the garage door has four free sides so that it can move. And although air might still find its way in, you can minimize that with garage door weatherstripping.
Pay attention to the garage door bottom seal and prefer rubber solutions that would adapt better to floors which are not entirely even. When the weather is warm or you get some winter sunny days, open the garage door for an hour or so and let the warm air absorb indoor moisture. And always try to remove snow stuck to your car before you drive in. Ice & snow are both sources of moisture too.
