6 Common Reasons Your Garage Door Is Making Noise
August 20, 2025
When a hurricane threatens, most homeowners focus on boarding windows and securing outdoor furniture. Yet one of the most vulnerable entry points in any house is often overlooked: the garage door. A weak or poorly reinforced door can fail under high winds, allowing pressure to build inside your home and causing extensive structural damage. Proper hurricane garage door preparation is essential to protect your property, lower repair costs, and keep your family safe.
This guide explains why garage doors matter in storm protection, key steps to secure your garage before a storm, and professional solutions to reinforce garage doors. We’ll also highlight how Holt’s Reliable Garage Door Repair can help ensure your home is storm-ready and resilient.
Why Garage Doors Are Critical During Hurricanes
Your garage door is often the largest moving part of your home and a key structural element of the building envelope. When a hurricane strikes, winds can exceed 100 mph and create powerful pressure differences. If the door buckles or blows out, the sudden rush of air can lift the roof or push out walls. Insurance studies show that homes with failed garage doors suffer exponentially higher damage than homes with properly reinforced doors.
Because a garage door covers such a wide opening, it must resist both wind pressure and wind-borne debris. Proper storm-readiness tips start with recognizing the garage as a frontline defense. Focusing on the garage early—before hurricane season begins—can make the difference between a quick cleanup and months of costly reconstruction.
Step 1: Inspect the Current Condition
The first step in hurricane garage door preparation is a careful inspection:
- Check panels and tracks. Look for rust, cracks, or dents that weaken structural integrity. Even small gaps or misaligned tracks can cause the door to flex and fail when under high stress.
- Test the springs and rollers. Worn springs or loose rollers increase the chance that the door will jam or collapse during high winds.
- Examine weather seals. Intact seals keep rainwater and debris out while helping maintain stable indoor air pressure.
Document any issues with photos so you can address them promptly or share them with a professional. A quick self-inspection after every major storm ensures that small problems don’t accumulate over time.
Step 2: Reinforce Garage Doors
If your garage door was installed more than ten years ago, it may not meet today’s hurricane standards. Reinforcement is essential and comes in several forms:
- Horizontal bracing. Steel or aluminum bars attach to the inside of each panel, increasing wind resistance dramatically.
- Heavy-duty tracks and rollers. Upgraded hardware prevents the door from jumping its tracks when winds push or pull on it.
- Wind-rated doors. In hurricane-prone regions, replacing the entire door with an impact-rated model is often the safest, long-term option.
These reinforced garage doors methods can make a dramatic difference in storm performance. While some homeowners try temporary solutions like plywood or improvised braces, these DIY approaches rarely match the reliability or safety of a professionally reinforced system.
Step 3: Secure the Garage Before the Storm
Even a reinforced door needs additional attention when a hurricane is imminent. Follow these secure garage before storm steps:
- Lock the door manually. Engage the manual lock to prevent accidental opening if power fails.
- Clear the space. Remove cars, tools, bicycles, and chemicals that could become dangerous projectiles or be ruined by water.
- Seal vents and windows. Reduce entry points for wind-driven rain and debris.
- Check backup power. If you rely on an electric opener, make sure you have the option of operating the door manually in case of outages.
These simple actions, combined with permanent reinforcement, provide a crucial extra layer of protection and give you peace of mind when the forecast turns threatening.
Step 4: Focus on the Entire Structure
A hurricane-proof garage door is only as strong as the surrounding frame and roof. Inspect these supporting elements:
- Anchoring of jambs and headers. Loose fasteners can allow the entire frame to shift during violent gusts.
- Connection to the roof. Reinforce trusses above the garage with hurricane straps or clips to keep the roof securely tied to the walls.
- Drainage around the slab. Good drainage keeps water from pooling and undermining door seals, which can cause leaks and hidden moisture damage.
Professional Storm-Readiness Tips
While homeowners can handle basic maintenance, professional help ensures nothing is missed. Here are some expert storm-readiness tips to follow:
- Schedule pre-season inspections each spring or early summer.
- Ask for wind-load certification to match your local building codes and insurance requirements.
- Combine garage-door reinforcement with whole-home upgrades like impact-resistant windows and fortified roofing.
Professional guidance saves time and provides documentation that insurers often require after a storm, potentially reducing your premium or speeding up claims.
Why Choose Holt’s Reliable Garage Door Repair
When it comes to protecting your home, experience and quality workmanship matter. Holt’s Reliable Garage Door Repair is a highly reliable roofing option for homeowners across the region who want complete confidence before hurricane season. At Holt’s we offer:
- Comprehensive services. From emergency repairs to full door replacements, we handle every type of residential and commercial garage doors.
- Custom reinforcement solutions. Whether you need heavy-duty bracing or an entirely new impact-rated door, we tailor upgrades to your property’s needs and local building codes.
- Preventive maintenance plans. Regular tune-ups ensure your door operates smoothly year-round and is always hurricane-ready.
- Fast response times. At Holt’s Reliable we are known for quick, dependable service—vital when storms are approaching and every hour counts.
By partnering with us, you gain more than a reinforced door; you gain a long-term ally in home protection who understands the unique challenges of coastal weather.
The Cost of Inaction
Skipping proper hurricane garage door preparation can lead to catastrophic expenses, including:
- Roof replacement if sudden pressure causes uplift.
- Water damage to vehicles, tools, and stored items.
- Structural repairs to walls and foundations weakened by rapid pressure changes.
- Higher insurance premiums after a major claim or denied coverage if codes weren’t met.
Investing in professional reinforcement is far less costly than facing post-storm reconstruction and weeks of disruption.
Ongoing Maintenance for Lasting Protection
Hurricane readiness isn’t a one-time project. Maintain your garage door year-round to ensure it remains a reliable barrier:
- Lubricate rollers and hinges every three months to reduce friction and wear.
- Replace worn weather stripping annually to keep out moisture and maintain internal pressure.
- Test the door’s balance and auto-reverse function to confirm it operates safely.
- After every major storm, schedule a follow-up inspection to catch hidden damage before the next hurricane season.
Regular upkeep not only strengthens your hurricane defense but also extends the overall life of your garage door system, saving money in the long run.
Preparing your Garage Door Before a Storm Strikes
Your garage door is more than just an entry point—it’s a critical shield between your home and a hurricane’s destructive power. Comprehensive hurricane garage door preparation, from detailed inspection to professional reinforcement, dramatically reduces the risk of catastrophic damage. Combine personal maintenance with expert services from Holt’s Reliable Garage Door Repair to ensure your garage—and your entire home—can withstand whatever the next storm season brings in areas like Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Saint Lucie County and Indian River County.
Don’t wait until the forecast shows a swirling cone of uncertainty. Schedule a hurricane-readiness inspection today, reinforce your garage doors, and secure peace of mind before the winds begin to rise.
