Your garage door plays the crucial role of protecting your property bot from elements as well as intruders. While most garage doors are very sturdy and designed to withstand harsh weather conditioners, however, with prolonged exposure, some older doors might become susceptible to rusting. This is more common in coastal regions where salt water can cause damage to vulnerable materials.
If your garage door is looking dusty or has reddish-brown patches on various door components, such as knobs, hinges, tracks, and locks, it is a sign of rust. Unfortunately, rusting can cause your garage door to age faster than it should. So, it is important to take steps to keep rust from damaging your garage door. Before we tell you how you can prevent rusting, it is important to learn how exactly rusting occurs on the doors.
What causes rusting on garage doors?
Rusting occurs when the iron is exposed to moisture and oxygen. Paint is helpful in preventing metal from getting oxidized due to exposure to moisture. However, when the pain has peeled, rusting can occur. Some of the most common causes of rust on your garage doors are:
Environmental factors
The most common and the biggest factor affecting your garage door is its environment. If you live in a coastal area, saltwater and wind can cause damage. If you get a lot of snow in your area, the garage door can get rusted due to road salt coming off of the street or car tires. Those living in humid climates or near industrial areas are more likely to face this problem.
Paint quality
Your garage door needs a specific type of paint that is applied in a specific manner to ensure complete protection for your garage door. A layering process is used wherein layers of galvanization, primer, and baked-on paint are used to create an effective coat. If your garage door is old, it is unlikely that it was painted this way and it is more likely to suffer damage and get rusted.
Apart from these two key reasons, there could be other reasons as well. How frequently you clean your garage door too can make a difference. Regular cleaning removes dirt, oil, grime, and salt build-up. Poor maintenance and poor metal quality can also cause rusting.
How to prevent rusting of your garage doors?
Choose the right hardware
It is recommended that all the metal components of your garage door should be made from galvanized steel. The zinc coating on this allow provides protection from oxidizing and hence, rusting.
Regular cleaning
Make sure your garage door is always clean. You don’t need to wash it every Sunday, but it is important to give it a good wash at least twice a year. Do not use pressure wash as it can scrape off the protective paint. Just remove all the accumulated dirt, grime, moisture, and particles where rust can thrive.
Use safe cleaners and a salt-free ice melt
Moisture and salt are the two biggest reasons why garage doors rust. When choosing an ice melt for your pavers or asphalt, look for one that is salt-free and does not contain any corrosive chlorides. Also, choose the right cleaners for your garage floor, driveway, and panels. Avoid using corrosive cleaners that can damage the metal.
Minimize friction
Ensure proper lubrication of moving parts to reduce friction. This will prevent scratching of their surface and reduce the risk of rusting. Use any manufacturer-approved lubricant to grease the moving parts.
If you notice rust on your garage door or the tracks, get in touch with our team right away. We will thoroughly inspect your garage door and help repair the damage.
