Maintenance and Wooden Garage Door Repair in Long Beach

Although there are other garage doors that are stronger, some homeowners prefer the look of wooden garage doors. Wood is beautiful and it has a nice smell. It gives your house a nice rustic look. Having a wooden garage door, however, requires some maintenance. For bigger issues, you may have to seek professional service for garage door repair in Long Beach.

If you learn how to maintain your wooden garage door, you can keep it looking good for many years to come. Maintenance involves cleaning, staining, and sealing the wooden garage door.

Ways the Weather Can Affect Wooden Garage Doors

Temperature differences both on the outside and inside of the garage can cause your wooden garage door to crack. If it is cold outside, the wood on the outside of the garage door will contract. The wood on the inside will expand because the air is warmer on the inside. This is called bowing. If this happens regularly, the door will start to warp, splinter, and crack.

You can prevent cracking by using a quality sealant. The sealant will slow the moisture from escaping through the door. If you live in an area that experiences extreme heat during the summer, use a light stain. A dark stain will increase the absorption of heat and increase the possibility of cracking. If you are experiencing extreme temperatures frequently, get a composite door with wood-based overlays. The overlays will give you the look and feel you like from wood. The steel underneath the overlays will not crack or bow.

When your garage door is not well-maintained, the outside elements can cause a lot of damage. If you notice the wood is darker or lighter than usual, it may be rot. You can use a printed instrument to poke at the bottom of the garage door. If the instrument goes through, the garage door may have rotted. You cannot fix the rot. If you are unable to contact the manufacturer of the garage door to replace the rotten section, it is best to replace the door.

Clean the Door for Garage Door Repair in Long Beach

Cleaning the garage door is an easy process. You want to fill a bucket with hot, soapy water and dip a washcloth in it. You, then, want to use the cloth to wipe down both sides of the door. The cloth should remove any dirt or dust that has been on the door. You can do this once a month or when you see the door is getting dirty. If you want to stain your garage door, wipe down the door to remove it from dirt and dust.

Figure Out Whether You Want to Paint or Stain the Garage Door

It is important to add a protective layer to your wooden garage to protect it from the elements. You can do so by restaining or repainting it. The best option is to repaint or restain once a year. You can also do it every two or three years if the door is in good condition.

Sealing and Staining Tips

Whether you choose to paint or stain your garage door, you want to clean it of any debris first. Then, you want to use wood filler to fill any imperfections in the door. Once the wood filler dries, sand the door.

Sanding is a great way to remove some imperfections caused by the elements. It will also allow for a smooth finish to the stain or paint. Although sanding takes time, it provides the best results in the long run.

After the sanding, use a degreasing spray and mildew cleaner to remove grease, mildew, and mold. After the door is dry, you can start to prepare painting or staining the door. Use painter’s tape to cover up the areas you don’t want to get paint on. Apply a coat of wood primer. Once the door is dry, lay down a coat of paint or stain. You may have to add an extra coat or two for it to last longer.

The Wrap Up

Choosing a wooden garage door can add beauty to your home. However, due to weather conditions, the door can crack and bow, so it’s important to take precautions. Adding paint or stain can protect your garage door from the elements. It is also good to clean debris from the garage door.

Even when you take these steps, you can still experience issues with your garage that are hard to overcome. If you have addressed surface issues with your garage door and find yourself in a bigger problem, it may be time to call in a professional and have the door replaced.