We all know Florida summers come with a side of “brace yourself.”
The heat? Yep. The daily 3 p.m. downpour? Always. And of course, storm season.
If you’ve lived in the Tampa Bay area long enough, you know that hurricane season is no joke. And while most people are out stocking up on water, batteries, and canned goods, there’s one thing a lot of people overlook: their garage door.
Yes, that big door you probably hit the remote for 100 times a month? It’s actually one of the largest and most vulnerable openings in your home. And if it’s not in top shape, it could be the first thing to give under hurricane-force winds.
Let’s Talk About Why This Matters
Your garage door isn’t just a convenience, it’s part of your home’s first line of defense during a storm. A weakened door can buckle under pressure, which can lead to serious damage, water intrusion, and in worst-case scenarios, a total roof lift. (Not fun.)
When strong winds enter your garage through a compromised door, they can create upward pressure inside your home. That’s what causes major structural issues, and it all starts with one faulty hinge, worn spring, or rusty track.
What to Watch For (Before the Weather Gets Wild)
Routine maintenance isn’t about selling you something you don’t need. It’s about making sure your garage door can actually do its job when the wind starts howling.
Here’s what we look for and what you can check too:
- Loose or missing bolts/screws – These are small but mighty. When they fail, other parts can shift or collapse.
- Worn springs or cables – Springs carry a huge amount of tension. If they’re frayed, rusty, or on their last leg, you’re asking for trouble.
- Damaged rollers or tracks – If your door isn’t gliding smoothly, it’s putting extra strain on the whole system.
- Cracks or warping in the door panels – Especially common in older doors. That damage may not seem like a big deal until 75 mph winds say otherwise.
- Weatherstripping and seals – Water loves a weak seal. Keeping these in shape helps keep moisture (and critters) out.
A Quick Check Beats a Pricey Repair
Most of these issues are easy to catch with a quick tune-up, but if left alone, they can snowball fast. And, no one wants to be dealing with emergency garage door repairs when the radar’s lit up red.
Having your door inspected before the peak of storm season means:
- Fewer surprises when the wind picks up
- Less risk of expensive water or wind damage
- A little peace of mind when you’re busy worrying about everything else
Reinforcement Might Be Worth It
If your garage door is older or wasn’t originally rated for hurricanes, it might be time to look into reinforcement options or a new wind-rated door. We can help you figure out if that makes sense, what your options are, and how to get it done before the next big storm is headed our way.
How to Know If It’s Time for a Hurricane-Rated Garage Door
Maintenance is great, but sometimes, a quick fix just isn’t enough. If your garage door is older or wasn’t built with hurricane protection in mind, you might want to start thinking about an upgrade.
Here are a few signs you may want to invest in a new, wind-rated garage door:
- Your current door is 20+ years old – Older doors typically don’t meet today’s wind-load codes.
- The panels are cracked, warped, or rotting – That kind of damage weakens the door’s structure and makes it more likely to fail under pressure.
- You see rust or corrosion on the hardware – Especially near the hinges, tracks, or reinforcement struts.
- Your door doesn’t have reinforced bracing or impact-resistant features – If you don’t know whether your door is hurricane-rated, chances are it isn’t.
- It’s loud, unsteady, or has trouble opening/closing – Beyond being annoying, this can signal deeper issues with the door’s stability.
Modern hurricane-ready garage doors are built to handle extreme winds, flying debris, and rapid pressure changes. Plus, many of them look a whole lot better than the bulky, industrial-looking ones from back in the day.
If you’re already thinking about curb appeal or adding value to your home, a new garage door is one of the smartest upgrades you can make (insurance companies like them too).
We’ve Got You (and Your Garage Door)
At Trinity Garage Door Service, we live here too, and we know what Florida weather can throw at you. Our team does routine inspections, maintenance, repairs, and installs, and we’ll never recommend something you don’t need.
So if your garage door has been squeaking, wobbling, or just hasn’t had a check-up in a while, now’s the time. Storm season waits for no one, but a solid garage door gives you one less thing to stress about.
Ready for a tune-up?
“Don’t spend with the rest, save with the best!” Give us a shout, and we’ll get your garage door storm-season ready in no time.
