You want your garage door to last for a long time, naturally. However, you also know that over time, things can wear out and need to be replaced. This is true not only of the garage door opener but also the door itself. If you notice that your garage door is starting to look rusted in place, it might mean that you are facing some severe problems with the door that will have to be addressed. It might also be a case of mistaken identity, as you will see below.
The garage door should be protected using high-quality paint, along with galvanization that should help to prevent rust. However, several factors can come into play that could cause your metal garage door to start getting rusty.
Where you live
One of the first things that you have to think about when it comes to rust and your garage door is where you live. If you live in an environment where it snows in the winter, and the roads get salted to help deal with the ice, there is a chance that the salt and slush could end up splashing up and onto the lower part of the garage door, which could start to develop rust over the years. If you happen to live in a location along the coast where there is a lot of salt in the air, it could be problematic, as well. However, you should keep in mind that even though garage door specialists have seen these problems before, they do tend to be rare.
As mentioned, the “rust” could even be a case of mistaken identity. When pollen from the white and yellow birch get onto the garage, it can sometimes cause streaks of orange. Until you get up close and inspect them, it is possible to mistake this for rust, which is sure to make many people panic.
Garage doors have quality paint
You will find that most of the time, the garage door manufacturers in North American follow guidelines when it comes to the paint that they use for the garage door. They begin with a primer, and then they will add a baked-on coat of paint. This coat of paint helps to protect the door. Also, the steel used on these doors has some zinc in it, which provides more protection from rust.
However, you might not know who manufactured the door if you recently bought your place and weren’t the person who purchased the garage door. It might have been painted by a third party in the past that did not use the right type of paint. They might have been covering up some previous damage, for example. This means that the door might not have the protection that you believe it has.
Also, if there has been any damage to the door, even a small puncture, and it goes down to the steel, it could be prone to rust if not repaired properly.
Dealing with the rust
If there is a small amount of rust, it does not mean that the door is a lost cause. There are some things that you can do about rust spots. If you see small rust spots that look almost like small flecks of orange/red dirt on the door, you can often clean them away. You can clean the door first. You will want to make sure that you are cleaning away any bits of grime and dirt that have accumulated on the door. If you don’t wash your door regularly, you might be surprised at just how dirty it gets. You may even find some oil spots. This is likely an indication that you lubricated the drive chain too much.
When you are washing the door, you will want to use mild soap. This would be the same type of soap that you would use for your vehicle or even mild liquid dish soap. You can use a hose on your garage door on a shower setting, but make sure that you never use a pressure washer; it could cause damage.
Now, once your door is washed, you want to pay attention for any of those rust spots that you find. If they are on the surface, they will be relatively easy to remove. You will use a solution made from equal parts of vinegar and water. Spray it on and use a clean cloth to wipe it away. If this does not deal with the spots, you can also consider mixing up a paste of baking soda and water. This can be spread on the door and allowed to sit for about half an hour. Wipe it away and rinse it with a cloth. Tile cleaner could be used the same way, and you can get good results with that option, as well.
When it comes to caring for and washing your garage door, how often should you do it? Ideally, you will be washing your door at least two times per year. Typically, this would be in the fall and the spring. However, depending on how dirty it gets and where you live, you might want to wash it more often. If you want more tips, check out Garaga’s maintenance guide. This will provide you with some great results.
Schedule washing your garage door twice a year
Sometimes, you will find that your garage door is going to need more than just a little bit of tender loving care and washing. Sometimes, you will need to have the door replaced entirely. Fortunately, this is where we can help. For those who live in The South Shore & Cape Cod areas, we can provide you with the help you need right away. You should feel free to contact us now at 508-563-5633.
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