Is Your Garage Door Ready For A Hurricane?
Extreme weather and high winds are typical in Florida, and they may severely damage your garage door and house. Because it is one of the largest and most fragile of all openings in your home, a hurricane-proof garage door is essential in areas such as Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Coral Springs, or Hialeah.
Destructive Storms That Can Damage Your Garage Door
Garages can be damaged by even light rain. Hurricanes, hail, thunderstorms, and tornadoes are the main weather conditions that can harm garage doors in Florida.
The peak season for hurricanes is June 1 through November 30, and the wind speeds generated by tropical storms are dangerous to both people and property. Hurricanes are graded on a scale of one to five, with a Category 5 storm being the most severe, but even moderate-strength storms can cause significant damage.
A hurricane has winds of 74 to 95 mph, while a category 5 hurricane is defined as one with winds exceeding 155 mph. Similarly, thunderstorms can produce winds of more than 120 miles per hour, and tornadoes can generate wind speeds of 300 miles per hour.
The most important reason for garage door damage is high winds. When wind strikes a garage door, the individual panels may loosen, the door can be bent or twisted, and the door could come off its track.
Floods and thunderstorms can also damage the door and, in some cases, smash debris like tree branches into the panel, causing dents. Hailstorms are not uncommon in Florida, and fierce winds can violently buffet the hail straight against your garage door, causing dents, fractured panes, and other damage.
What to Do After a Storm Has Hit Your Garage Door
If a storm strikes your area and damages your house, you should take several actions to inspect and repair the damage.
Here are four suggestions for inspecting a garage door that has been damaged by a storm.
1. Assess the Damage
After a storm, the first thing you should do is go outside and inspect your garage door for any signs of damage. Dents, bent or broken panels, or your door may be off its track are all possible indicators of damage. You should also check to see if the garage door is misaligned and ensure it opens and closes smoothly and without issue. If your garage door isn’t operating properly after a storm, don’t push it open or shut aggressively. Because many garage door components work under high tension, attempting to force it into motion or undertake any DIY repairs can be dangerous.
2. Photograph the Damage
Then, photograph your entire garage door so you have evidence of the damage. You should take pictures from various angles to show the full extent of the damage. Also, make sure at least one image shows the entire garage door. Try to get a shot that includes your street number somewhere in it for further proof that it’s your garage if possible.
3. Contact Insurance Company
You should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible following the damage. Your insurance agent will want photographs to assess the damage and submit an insurance claim. The insurer may elect to have someone come to your home to inspect the damage in person, but it is dependent on the firm. It’s a good idea to clarify with your insurance broker how much of a deductible you’ll be responsible for. If the damage isn’t too severe, getting a professional garage door repair service to repair the door without involving your insurance company may save you time and money. Before making a decision, have a garage door expert inspect the damage and provide you with an estimate.
4. Contact a Professional
If your garage door has been damaged by a storm, you’ll need to seek the help of a professional garage door repair business. If you want your insurance policy to cover the cost of the repairs, they may have certain standards for whom you can choose. In some situations, the insurance company may request that you obtain quotes from a few different garage door businesses to get the best rate. A professional may look at the complete damage and all of the mechanical aspects of the door to ensure that it is safe for you to use. They’ll also provide you with the finest alternatives possible based on your unique situation.
To inspect and repair your storm-damaged garage door, contact DoorFlex Garage Door Repair.
We are a family-owned and operated company with over 15 years of expertise repairing and replacing garage doors after storms. We offer exceptional service for all your garage door needs.
For an inexpensive garage door repair, replacement or tune-up call us at (561) 210-4001 or fill out this form!
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