Beat the Heat: Your Garage Door’s Summer Survival Guide
Hey neighbors! So, summer’s rolling into Calgary like a determined moose on a mission. While we’re all cranking AC and hunting for shade, let’s talk about that big, hardworking slab in your garage. Yep—your garage door. It’s out there battling scorching sun, sudden storms, and humidity that could wilt a cactus. We’ve seen doors warp, seals crack, and springs snap faster than a cheap lawn chair in July. But don’t sweat it (pun intended). We’re sharing our field-tested tips to prep your door for summer—and hey, we’re Kald Galt Garage Doors, so we’ve fixed enough heat-warped doors to write a tragicomedy.
Why Summer Turns Your Garage Door Into a Drama Queen
Let’s get real: garage doors hate summer more than we hate potholes after thaw season. Heat makes metal tracks expand, rubber seals brittle, and lubricants evaporate like a puddle in a desert. Ever heard that pop when your door closes on a 30°C day? That’s metal groaning under the strain. Ignoring this can lead to costly garage door track repair or even a full system failure. And commercial doors? Double the size, double the drama. We’ve had clients in Okotoks call us mid-heatwave because their warehouse door jammed shut—turns out, the tracks had expanded so much they looked like abstract art.
Your DIY Summer Prep Checklist
No fancy tools needed—just your eyes, hands, and maybe a cold drink.
Inspect Seals and Weatherstripping
Peek at the rubber seals along your door’s bottom and sides. Cracked or brittle? That’s summer’s calling card. Bad seals let heat, dust, and bugs invade your garage—like leaving a window open during mosquito season. Replacing them is DIY-friendly:
- Peel off the old seal (no mercy—it’s had its day).
- Slide in a new one (cut to fit).
- Press firmly into the channel.
Pro tip: Use vinyl seals—they laugh at Calgary’s mood swings.
Lubricate Everything That Moves
Skip the WD-40 (seriously, it’s like feeding your door candy—temporary relief, long-term mess). Grab a silicone-based lubricant instead. Hit:
- Hinges
- Rollers
- Springs
- Tracks
Lube reduces friction and prevents wear, especially when heat dries out parts. Do this every 3 months—it’s cheaper than a garage door spring replacement.
Check Tracks and Rollers
Misaligned tracks in summer heat? That’s a one-way ticket to Stuck Door City. Look for:
- Gaps between rollers and tracks
- Dents or bends (even tiny ones)
- Rust spots
Gently wipe tracks clean with a damp cloth. If rollers wobble or tracks look warped, call a pro. Forcing a bent track is like driving on a flat tire—you’ll wreck more than you fix.
Test the Balance
Shut the door and pull the emergency release cord. Manually lift it halfway. If it doesn’t stay put, your springs are tired or unbalanced. Summer heat stresses springs, making them prone to snapping. IMO, this is where DIY ends—springs are literal coiled death traps. We get calls weekly for garage door cable replacement after a DIY spring job gone wrong. Don’t be that hero.
When to Call Kald Galt Garage Doors (Like, Immediately)
Look, we love a good DIY story. But some jobs scream “nope.” If you spot:
- Sagging sections or uneven gaps (heat warp)
- Loud grinding/scraping noises (track issues)
- Cables fraying or springs rusting
…it’s cavalry time. Our garage door technicians handle everything from garage door repair to commercial overhead door repair. Why us? We’re Calgary-based, affordable, and we’ve seen it all—from residential headaches in Strathmore to massive commercial doors downtown. No vague “near me” Google headaches—we’re local, licensed, and laser-focused on fair pricing.
Summer Garage Door Maintenance Schedule
Stay ahead with this simple routine:
| Task | Frequency | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lubricate Parts | Every 3 months | Prevents friction damage in heat; avoids emergency garage door services. |
| Inspect Seals | Start of summer | Keeps garage cool, blocks pests. Replace if cracked—costs less than AC overwork! |
| Check Balance | Monthly | Unbalanced doors strain openers. Catch spring fatigue early. |
| Clean Tracks | Bi-weekly | Dust + heat = grinding havoc. Prevents garage door track repair. |
| Professional Tune-Up | Yearly (before summer) | Our $99 special catches 90% of heat-related issues. Worth every penny. |
Your Top 3 Summer Garage Door Questions—Answered!
Q: “Can heat really break my garage door springs?”
A: Absolutely. Springs weaken in extreme heat. If your door slams shut or struggles to open, shut it off and call us. Spring replacement isn’t a “maybe later” job—it’s urgent.
Q: “Why’s my door so noisy when it’s hot outside?”
A: Metal expands, rollers dry out, and parts grind. Lubricate first. If noise continues? Could be track misalignment or roller damage. Let our technicians diagnose it—quietly 🙂
Q: “Is automatic garage door installation worth it for summer?”
A: 100%. Modern openers have heat sensors and battery backups. No more manual lifting in 35°C weather. We install smart models that alert you to issues before they roast your door.
Wrapping Up: Stay Cool, Calgary!
Summer’s brutal here, but your garage door doesn’t have to suffer. A little prep saves you from sweaty emergencies and pricey surprises. And hey—if you’re staring at a jammed door or a snapped cable, Kald Galt Garage Doors has your back. We’re your local garage door company serving Calgary, Okotoks, Strathmore, and beyond. No stress, no markup, just reliable fixes. Ready for a tune-up or facing a full meltdown? Call us today—we’ll answer faster than you can say “Why is my garage an oven?” 🙂
Stay cool, folks. Your garage door will thank you.
