You just got a new garage door or a new coat of paint over your old door. While passing through the garage, you notice rust patches on the door or rusty edges. Now you are thinking, what was the point of spending all that money on a new garage door or a new coat of paint? One thing to know is that water can cause a garage door to rust, and salt accelerates the process. Since salt is abundant in water and certain environments, there is no way to permanently rust-proof metallic surfaces.
Unless your door has years of rust damage over it, the door is good to use. So, first, do not panic and evaluate the reason for rusting. Whether new or old, no door is immune to it. But with a good coat of paint and regular oiling in the joints, you can delay the rusting process from occurring. Rust is a common problem for almost every homeowner. Additionally, how long it has been since you have installed your new door or how old the coat of paint is, does not matter. Specifically, the accumulation of rust is more of an environmental factor than anything else.
Causes of Garage Door Rust
Environmental Factors Causes Rust
Since salt is a huge factor promoting rust, your environment will greatly impact it. If you live near the ocean, your garage door will rust from salt blown by the wind onto your door. When living in a cold environment, the ice accumulating on your door will cause rusting. Additionally, living in humid or damp areas will also increase the chances of rust on garage doors.
In spring, a layer of orange-colored pollen can accumulate on your garage door. Therefore, you need to wash it with tap water and see if the pollen was the reason.
Door Quality
You may not think of metal quality as important; however, rust is a form of corrosion, and oxygen is its cause. Garage door rust is formed when Iron combines with Oxygen to form Iron-oxide. The lighter and thinner your door is, the quicker it will get corroded. For that reason, the quality of the door is not something that you can compromise on.
Too Much Dirt In The Joints
If you do not clean your doors, they will rust quicker than usual. Oiling the joints, dusting the door, and servicing the mechanism on a pre-planned schedule will protect it from rust. If you do not have time to do it or you are out of town, you can hire us for a garage door cleaning.
Conclusion
Rusty garage doors are inevitable due to factors beyond anyone’s control. But being mindful of the door’s cleanliness and regular service of the mechanism will prevent it. So, schedule regular cleaning of your garage door to ensure there is no rust due to dirt stuck in its joints and mechanism. If you need any services related to garage doors in Texas, get in touch with Garage Door Doctor today by calling 281-855-9300 or 281-578-7659.
