Key Points
- Arizona monsoons bring heavy rain, high winds, dust, and flying debris that can damage garage doors.
- Simple preparation steps — weather stripping, reinforcement, hardware checks — prevent costly repairs.
- Regular garage door maintenance, including inspections, lubrication, and reinforcement, is essential for Mesa homeowners to prevent storm-related damage and ensure optimal performance.
- Professional inspections from Gogo Garage Door help Mesa and Apache Junction homeowners storm-proof their garages.
Important Definitions
- Weather stripping: Rubber or vinyl seals at the base and sides of the door that block water, wind, and dust.
- Garage door seals: Components designed to seal the gaps around the garage door, preventing pests, weather, and debris from entering. Proper garage door seals help improve energy efficiency, protect against the elements, and enhance durability.
- Insulation: Material used within or around the garage door to improve energy efficiency by acting as a thermal barrier, protecting the garage interior from temperature fluctuations and increasing overall comfort.
- Auto-reverse feature: A safety mechanism that forces the garage door to reverse if it encounters an object.
- Reinforcement struts: Metal supports that strengthen the garage door against wind pressure.
- Flood barrier: A removable barrier placed at the bottom of the garage to block incoming rainwater.
Why Monsoon Season Puts Extra Stress on Garage Doors
Every year from June through September, Arizona’s monsoon season rolls through the East Valley, hitting Mesa, Apache Junction, and surrounding neighborhoods with sudden storms. These storms can bring:
- High winds (up to 60+ mph) that stress garage door panels.
- Blowing dust and debris that damage tracks and rollers.
- Heavy rainfall that seeps under doors with worn seals.
- Power surges and outages that disable openers without backups.
Cracks and gaps around the garage door edges are common entry points for dirt during storms. Sealing these cracks, gaps, and edges helps prevent dirt and debris from infiltrating your garage and keeps the area clean and protected.
Your garage door is often the largest moving part of your home and one of the weakest points when it comes to storm protection. Preparing it ahead of time is critical for keeping your home and belongings safe.
Step 1: Inspect and Replace Weather Stripping
Weather stripping keeps rain and dust from entering the garage. In Arizona’s climate, seals crack and dry out quickly. During a monsoon storm, these small gaps allow water and mud to pool inside the garage.
There are several common types of garage door seals and weather-stripping, such as bottom seals, threshold seals, and brush seals, each designed for different door styles and purposes like creating a tighter seal for improved insulation and weatherproofing.
- What to do: Inspect bottom and side seals before storm season. Replace if they’re cracked, brittle, or no longer form a tight seal, and consider creating a tighter seal with new weather-stripping to enhance protection.
- Pro tip for Mesa homeowners: Use weather stripping rated for extreme heat and UV exposure for longer durability.
Why contact Gogo Garage Door? Gogo’s technicians use professional-grade weather stripping materials that hold up against both Arizona heat and monsoon storms, ensuring long-lasting protection.
Step 2: Check Door Balance and Hardware
A misaligned or unbalanced garage door is more likely to fail under heavy wind pressure. Loose hardware creates weak points where panels can bend or detach. Regular maintenance can help fix minor issues before they impact your door’s functionality and safety.
- What to do: Disconnect the opener and lift the door halfway. If it doesn’t stay in place, the balance is off. Tighten bolts and hinges, lubricate moving parts to ensure everything is functioning correctly, and have a professional adjust springs if needed.
- Apache Junction tip: Desert winds often loosen brackets faster due to vibration and dust buildup — check hardware after each major storm.
Why contact Gogo Garage Door? Adjusting springs can be dangerous without the right tools. Gogo provides safe, expert balancing and reinforcement services to prepare your door for high winds.
Step 3: Reinforce Your Garage Door
High winds put tremendous pressure on garage doors. Older or lightweight models are especially vulnerable. Reinforcement struts add rigidity to prevent bending or buckling.
- What to do: Add horizontal struts across panels or install a professional reinforcement kit. For best results, reinforcement kits should be professionally installed to ensure optimal performance and safety.
- Homeowner benefit: Reinforced doors protect not only the garage but also the structural integrity of the entire home, and proper reinforcement extends the life of your garage door.
Why contact Gogo Garage Door? Gogo can evaluate whether your current door needs reinforcement and install struts or recommend a hurricane-rated upgrade for maximum protection.
Step 4: Protect Against Flooding
In low-lying areas of Mesa and Apache Junction, heavy rains can quickly cause flash flooding. Water entering the garage can damage floors, walls, and stored belongings.
- What to do: Install a garage door threshold seal or flood barrier. Sealing the gap at the bottom of the door helps protect the garage interior from water and debris. Keep gutters and drainage areas clear to redirect water away.
- Extra tip: Avoid storing cardboard boxes on the garage floor during monsoon season.
Why contact Gogo Garage Door? Gogo offers water-resistant weather stripping and threshold solutions tailored for Arizona homes, helping keep storm water outside where it belongs.
Step 5: Test Safety and Backup Features
Power surges and outages are common during monsoons. Without proper backups, you could be left with a non-functioning opener.
- What to do: Test your auto-reverse feature monthly. If the door doesn’t reverse when it encounters resistance, call for service. Check if your opener has a backup battery and replace it if needed.
- East Valley tip: Consider adding surge protection to your opener’s circuit for extra reliability.
Why contact Gogo Garage Door? Gogo can test, repair, or upgrade safety features and backup systems to ensure your garage door stays operational during and after storms. Maintaining these features also enhances the security of your garage, protecting your home from intruders and further weather-related risks.
Preparing for Dust Storms
Dust storms can strike suddenly in Arizona, bringing high winds, thick dust, and flying debris that put your garage door to the test. To ensure your garage door remains secure and functional, start by inspecting it for any visible damage or signs of wear. Addressing small issues now—like worn weather seals or loose hardware—can prevent bigger problems when storms hit.
For added protection, consider upgrading to steel doors or installing threshold seals, which help your garage door withstand high winds and block out dust and debris. Regular maintenance is key: lubricate all moving parts, check that seals are intact, and make sure the door operates smoothly. These steps not only protect your garage and belongings but also help your door continue to function reliably through even the harshest dust storms.
Clearing the Area Around Your Garage
Before dust storms arrive, take time to clear the area around your garage. Remove any loose items, yard tools, or debris that could become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Keeping the space around your garage clean and free of clutter reduces the risk of significant damage to your garage door and home.
If your existing door has ongoing problems or visible wear, consider making necessary repairs or even installing a new garage door for added protection. Ensuring your garage door continues to operate smoothly and securely is one of the best ways to protect your property from the impact of dust storms and flying debris.
Using Surge Protectors
Power surges are a common hazard during dust storms, and they can quickly damage your garage door opener and other electrical components. Installing surge protectors on your garage door opener and any other sensitive devices in your garage adds an extra layer of protection, helping ensure everything remains functional and secure even after a storm.
Regular maintenance should include inspecting and, if needed, replacing surge protectors to keep your garage door protected from electrical damage. This simple step can save you from costly repairs or replacement of your opener and other components, ensuring your garage door remains in top condition and ready for whatever storms may come.
Documenting Damage and Contacting Insurance
If your garage door suffers damage during a dust storm, quick and thorough documentation is essential. Take clear photos and videos of all affected areas, and make a detailed list of necessary repairs or replacement parts. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the damage and start the claims process.
Providing your insurer with comprehensive documentation—including repair estimates—will help ensure a smooth and efficient resolution. For expert support, consider hiring a professional garage door service to inspect the damage and handle repairs. Their experience can help you navigate the insurance process and make sure your garage door is repaired or replaced promptly, keeping your home protected and secure after the storm.
The Bottom Line
Monsoon storms in Mesa and Apache Junction are powerful and unpredictable, but preparing your garage door ahead of time makes a big difference. From sealing out water to reinforcing panels against high winds, small steps now prevent costly damage later. If storm-related issues are left unaddressed, they can result in more expensive repairs and compromise the safety of your property.
Gogo Garage Door provides professional inspections, reinforcements, and repairs that keep East Valley garages storm-ready. Whether you need new weather stripping, struts, or emergency service after a storm, their team has the expertise to protect your home. For urgent storm-related repairs, Gogo Garage Door offers same day service to restore your garage door quickly and efficiently.
Don’t wait until the first storm hits — call Gogo Garage Door today and make sure your garage door is ready for monsoon season.
FAQs About Garage Door Prep for Monsoon Season
Q: Do I need to replace weather stripping every year in Arizona?
- Not always, but the heat and sun shorten its lifespan. Inspect it annually and replace if cracked.
Q: Can high winds really damage my garage door?
- Yes. Unreinforced doors can bend, buckle, or even detach from tracks during strong monsoon winds.
Q: What’s the best way to keep water out of my garage?
- Install threshold seals or flood barriers and keep drainage clear around the garage. Proper sealing and insulation also improve energy efficiency by keeping conditioned air inside and moisture out.
Q: How do I know if my garage door needs reinforcement?
- If your door is more than 10 years old or made from lightweight material, reinforcement is strongly recommended.
Q: Should I upgrade to a steel door for my garage?
- Upgrading to a steel door offers excellent durability, low maintenance, and a wide range of design options. Steel doors also provide better protection against harsh weather and can improve your garage’s energy efficiency.
Q: Will my garage door opener work if the power goes out during a storm?
- Only if it has a working backup battery. Otherwise, you’ll need to use the manual release.
Q: Can dust storms affect my garage door during monsoon season?
- Yes. Haboobs often occur before rain, coating tracks and rollers with grit. Cleaning and lubrication afterward are essential.
Q: What are common garage door problems during monsoon season and how can I fix them?
- Common garage door problems include doors getting stuck, malfunctioning openers, water intrusion, and issues with safety beams or broken chains. To fix these, check for debris in the tracks, inspect and replace damaged weatherstripping, and test the opener and safety features. Prompt repairs and regular maintenance help prevent future issues.
Q: How can I prepare my garage door for monsoon season?
- Follow this step by step guide:
- Inspect and replace worn weatherstripping.
- Clean and lubricate tracks and rollers.
- Check for loose hardware and tighten as needed.
- Test the opener and backup battery.
- Install threshold seals or flood barriers.
This step-by-step guide helps protect your garage from water, wind, and dust damage.
Q: Does Gogo Garage Door offer emergency service after monsoon damage?
- Yes. They provide fast response for storm-related issues like broken springs, off-track doors, and water intrusion.
