Key Takeaways
- There are an average of 21 days per year in Phoenix where the temperature reaches or exceeds 110 degrees F. (KJZZ)
- In addition to the wear and tear on springs, cables, and weatherstripping, the metal of the garage door and tracks also expands in the heat. This can cause the door to become misaligned, putting additional stress on the door’s rollers and hinges.
- The Torsion springs on your garage door lose tension as they are heated up by the sun daily. The heat and cool of the days cause the springs to wear out faster than normal. This is one of the most common reasons for a garage door repair in Phoenix during the summer months. The spring has simply worn out due to the extreme heat.
Introduction
For years, there has been a false assumption about the cause of garage door failure. Many believe that a garage door fails due to the age of the door. Yet in climates that have extreme heat, such as Phoenix, the majority of the time heat is the cause of early failure. Heat can cause failure of not only the door but the opener, tracks, weatherstripping, and even the cables.
With 21 days a year averaging 110 degrees F or greater in Phoenix (KJZZ), one of the hottest places in the country, the garage door, made of mostly metal and rubber, along with the tightly wound springs, is subject to failure as a result of the excessive heat. Below is information on how heat affects various components of the garage door and how to avoid such problems, as well as what to do when they do occur.
What Happens to Your Garage Door Springs and Cables in the Heat of Summer?
A torsion spring is rated for a number of cycles that it can handle before it begins to lose tension. In cooler climates, springs can last for many years. But in Phoenix, the springs can lose tension in a matter of days or weeks. The extreme heat of the day and the cool nighttime temperatures cause the spring to contract and expand greatly.
This causes the spring to wear out much faster than in cooler climates. As a result, the springs can break when they are used. This is why a spring that is rated for 10,000 cycles in a cooler climate may only last for 3,000 to 5,000 cycles in Phoenix. The broken spring is one of the most common garage door repair Phoenix calls during the summer months.
Why Does the Opener Struggle in Summer Heat?
Just as a car’s motor can get hot when running, garage door openers can also be affected by the normal heat of operating. Then, the hot garage where the opener is housed can contribute to the excessive heat. The excessive heat can cause the opener to malfunction while in the middle of operating the door, such as having the door hesitate and then reverse. It can also cause the opener to wear out prematurely. Some of the common parts that can be damaged by the heat of the garage are the motor, the circuit board, and sensors.
At Elite Garage Door, we have years of experience in repairing all of the parts of a garage door opener. We can come to your home to diagnose any problems you are having with your garage door opener and provide any necessary garage door opener repair Phoenix services to get you back to opening and closing your door in no time.
How Does Heat Affect the Door Itself?
In addition to the pieces of the garage door system listed above, the door itself is affected by extreme temperatures. In the heat, the metal of the garage door and tracks will expand. This can cause the door to become misaligned. The weatherstripping that is attached to the garage door will also dry out in the heat. Over time, the weatherstripping will crack and deteriorate. As the weatherstripping deteriorates, it will allow dust and hot air to enter the garage.
When to Replace Garage Door and Opener vs. Repair.
So even if your opener and door are repaired in Phoenix for heat-related issues, it may not be long before the same cycle of heat and repair becomes too costly for both parts. In many cases, it makes sense to replace your door and opener with brand new garage doors that have been designed and engineered to last and to handle heat better than older doors and openers. At Garage Door Repair Phoenix, we would be happy to provide you with a free estimate for a new garage door installation in Phoenix.
FAQs
Why do garage doors break more often in Phoenix summers?
It’s common for garage doors to malfunction or break in Phoenix because of the consistent heating and cooling during the seasons. This can put a lot of stress on the springs, weatherstripping, and parts of the garage door opener. The garage door opener, door, and components are just not made for dealing with extremely hot and cold temperatures that are typical throughout the year in Phoenix. That is why our emergency garage repair service is available 24/7 for any garage door emergencies that occur.
How to protect your garage door from heat damage.
Keep your door well lubricated. Check and replace weatherstripping every spring. Have your door inspected seasonally before the heat of summer arrives.
Is it normal for my garage door opener to struggle in extreme heat?
Garage door openers can usually handle the extremely hot weather, but there is a breaking point. Your garage door opener may stall. There may be an excessive amount of heat coming from the motor. Random reversal of the garage door is typical of the failure of the garage door opener, and it will need repair.
Should I replace my garage door before it fully breaks?
If your garage door is showing signs of heat damage and your garage door is 15 years old or older, then installing a new garage door may end up being cheaper in the long run than continuing to repair the current door.
Who to call when garage door opener is stalling in the heat?
Elite Garage Doors & Gates will repair your garage door opener or replace it with a brand-new opener. Garage door opener repair Phoenix service is provided 7 days a week by our best garage door service technicians. Our staff has many years of experience in fixing all brands and models of garage door openers, including problems caused by motor, sensor, or circuit board malfunctions.
Bottom Line
Don’t let your garage door break in the heat. Instead, let the garage door experts at Elite Garage Doors & Gates fix your garage door or openers. We are the garage door installation Phoenix and garage door repair Phoenix homeowners trust, and we are available 7 days a week.
