Rust seems like an innocuous issue, but garage door rust can seriously impact the operational use and safety of garage doors in just a matter of weeks. In this blog entry, the Chicagoland garage door replacement service team here at Garage Door Repair Chicago will detail the main forces that cause garage doors of all types to rust.
Environmental Causes of Rust
Salt severely contributes to rust. Garages near the ocean are affected by the salt in the wind. In cold areas, ice that accumulates in garages will cause rust. Humid or wet areas cause rust as well – not to mention the orange pollen that can rapidly accumulate on garage door springs.
Garage Door Quality
The metal of your garage door affects its susceptibility to rust. Rust is corrosion caused by oxygen. When iron reacts with oxygen forming iron-oxide, rust forms. The thinner and lighter your garage door is, the faster it will rust.
Garage Joint Dirt
If you don’t clean your garage doors, they will rust faster than normal. By oiling your garage joints, dusting your garage door, and regularly servicing your garage door, you can protect it from rust.
Preventing Garage Rust
There’s a wide range of tactics that you can implement in order to protect your garage from rust. First, apply a protective coat of paint to protect your garage door panels. We recommend using latex-based exterior grade paint on all steel – and making sure that it is fully dry before you apply any other kinds of chemicals or treatments. Friction reduction is also essential. Make sure your garage’s metal parts are regularly lubricated with the proper form of garage door lubricant. Regularly clean your garage door panels with a gentle solution of one cup of detergent mixed with 5 gallons of water. Don’t use metal damaging cleaners. As an additional – and strong form – of strategy to prevent garage door rusting, among myriad potential garage door operational issues – contact the Chicagoland garage door repair service and Chicago garage door maintenance service expats here at Garage Door Repair Chicago for expert assistance.
