Monsoon Season and Your Garage Door: What Las Vegas Storms Can Do

Most people think of the Las Vegas summer as a heat problem. Then the monsoon arrives. Sudden storms, strong gusts, blowing dust, and the occasional power outage can all take a toll on a garage door. A few minutes of prep beforehand can save you an emergency call later.

Why storms are hard on garage doors

A garage door is the largest moving opening in your home. When a gust hits it, the force spreads across a big, relatively lightweight surface. Over time, and especially in a bad storm, that can cause:

• Bent or separated panels. Older, thinner doors are the most vulnerable.
• Track and roller damage. Pressure can push the door out of its track.
• Weather seal damage. Rain and dust get in, and the rubber seal at the bottom wears faster.
• Loosened hardware. Hinges and brackets work loose from repeated flexing.
  

Before the storm: a quick prep list

1. Inspect the bottom seal. If it's cracked, flattened, or pulling away, water and fine dust will find a way in. Replacing a seal is one of the cheapest upgrades there is.
2. Check hinges, brackets, and fasteners. Tighten anything loose. If you see cracked hinges or bent brackets, have them replaced.
3. Clear the tracks. Wipe dust and debris from both vertical tracks so the rollers move freely.
4. Clear the area around your door. Move anything outside that could blow against it, like light patio items and loose trash cans.
5. Know where your emergency release is. The red cord hanging from the opener is what disconnects the door from the motor, so you can operate it by hand.
   

If the power goes out

When the power drops, your opener won't work, but you can still open the door manually:

1. Make sure the door is fully closed if possible.
2. Pull the red release cord straight down and back toward the opener.
3. Lift the door slowly by hand, using the handles or the bottom edge.
4. Once power returns, re-engage the trolley by pulling the cord again and running the opener through a cycle. The carriage usually reconnects on its own.

If the door is heavy, lopsided, or won't stay up, do not force it. It may be off balance or have a broken spring. Leave it alone and give us a call.

If you have a battery backup on your opener, now is a good time to check that it's charged and working. If you don't have one, it's worth considering, especially if you use your garage as the main entrance to your home.

After the storm

Take a quick walk around and look for:

• Dents, cracks, or panels bowing out of shape
• Gaps at the sides or top where the door no longer seals
• Door that runs crooked or noisy when it was fine before
• Sensors knocked out of alignment

A door that looks "mostly fine" can still have hidden damage to the tracks or rollers that gets worse with every cycle.

Think about wind rating if you're replacing

If your current door is older and lightweight, it may be time to think about a stronger replacement. Sturdier panels, better reinforcement, and quality hardware all hold up better to desert storms. We're happy to walk you through the options.

Storm damage doesn't wait for business hours, and neither do we. Dogtag Garage Door offers 24-hour emergency service across the Las Vegas valley. Call (702) 608-0038 or book online.