Most hurricane damage to garage doors comes down to six things you can check in an afternoon: springs, hinges, tracks, seals, anchors and the certification of the door itself. Do them in this order, because a later check is meaningless if an earlier one fails.
1. Springs
A torsion spring that has lost tension makes the opener work harder and the door heavier. Look at the coils for a visible gap, and listen: a door that bangs at the end of its travel is telling you the spring is tired. Springs are the most common pre-season failure and the one most associated with injuries when homeowners attempt them.
2. Hinges and rollers
Every hinge carries load. Rusted or loose hinges are the parts that break in wind. Replace, do not tighten and hope.
3. Tracks
Run a hand along the inside of the track (door closed, opener off). Dents and kinks mean the door is no longer travelling true. A dented track in a hurricane opening is a failure waiting for pressure.
4. Bottom seal and perimeter
The seal should touch the floor along its whole length. Daylight underneath is water inside, and water inside is pressure buildup.
5. Anchors and hardware
This is the check homeowners cannot do reliably: whether the jamb brackets are anchored the way the door’s approval specifies. A certified door on inadequate anchors is not a certified installation.
6. The certification
Is your door actually rated for the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, and can you produce the document? If the answer is no, the other five checks buy you time but not protection. In Miami-Dade, that document is the Notice of Acceptance, and it is specific to model, size and configuration.
The sign that means replace, not reinforce
If the door is not HVHZ certified, or the panels are bowed, or the door is over twenty years old with its original track and hardware, reinforcement is money spent on a door that will still fail. Replace the assembly.
All American Doors repairs, replaces and certifies garage doors across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Florida Keys, with same-day service and a 100% workmanship guarantee. Free estimates: (305) 885-8088.
If you are unsure what you have, we will tell you honestly whether it needs repair, hardware or replacement. That inspection is free.