Garage Door Summer Maintenance
May has just arrived which means summer is about to sneak up on us. And with the summer months comes summer maintenance on your home. There are important summer maintenance tasks to be done on garage doors that can be done without the aid of a professional. Heat and humidity can make a garage extremely uncomfortable and could be dangerous if combustible supplies are stored in a garage. Ventilation is a must to relieve the garage from summer heat.
The best way to increase the ventilation of a garage is to put an exhaust fan in the garage. One fan option is a freestanding exhaust fan. These fans must be positioned to send airflow out a door or window. Shutter fans are a good option for removing condensation from a garage and they run constantly to pull out moisture. The last option for exhaust fans are wall or ceiling mounted fans. These fans may require professional installation because the wall or ceiling where the fan will be mounted must be removed, insulation and all. Garage exhaust fans are the most effective if positioned opposite the door.
Another way to control the temperature inside a garage is with door insulation. Garage door insulation can help regulate temperatures of the garage in the summer and also during the winter. This will keep the environment of the garage comfortable and safe for combustible supplies like spray paint. Garage door insulation is available as injected foam insulation’s or polystyrene panels. Weather stripping the gap at the bottom of the garage door also helps further insulate the garage. Not only will insulation make a garage feel more comfortable, but it could also help reduce energy costs.
In addition to providing proper ventilation, washing and painting the garage door is ideal maintenance for the summer months. During the fall and winter, dirt, grime, snow, and salt build up on the door and could lead to rusting if ignored. Steel and aluminum doors can be washed rather easily with mild household detergents. Any garage windows should also be cleaned with a mild dishwashing solution. If rusting has already occurred, sand the rust off and repaint the area with a zinc-rich primer and exterior latex paint. Summer time is also a good opportunity to add a coat of paint to the garage door. Steel doors should be painted with 100% acrylic latex exterior paint, no oil based paint. Be sure to clean the door first so that it is free of dirt, oil, or mildew.
With these simple tips, the environment in the garage can become much improved and more comfortable for summer projects. Proper summer maintenance can also keep stored items protected from extreme temperature changes and lower energy costs. Taking these maintenance steps will help extend the life of your garage door and provide a comfortable area to work on other important household projects.