Wooden garage doors give your home an aesthetic outer look. However, their daily usage causes them to deteriorate over time and thus, require proper care. Therefore, give time to your garage doors so that they can last and function longer and make your house look more luxurious. If you’re wondering how to maintain them for daily convenience, here are some tips you can follow.
Causes Of Rotting
To prevent your garage door from rotting in the future, it’s essential to understand the cause behind it. Water and fungi are the main culprits. If there happens to be water leakage in your house due to plumbing issues, the wooden door will absorb all the water and start to rot. Furthermore, once your door has been exposed to moisture, fungi will grow on it and spread.
Signs Of Rotting
How to identify whether there’s any rotting on your wooden garage door? These are some signs:
- Visible cracks on the door panel and frame
- Discolouration or the peeling off of the paint applied on your wooden door due to water absorption
- When you touch the door, it feels tender and spongy
- A strange smell coming from your wooden garage door
- Wood consuming pests roaming or any holes created on the wood by them
Tips To Protect Garage Door From Rot
Door Cleaning
Make sure to clean your garage door once a year to prevent any build-up of moisture or dirt. Just wiping the surface with a rag soaked in a regular soap solution can be enough to maintain the cleanliness of your door.
Door Inspection
If rotting occurs, your door’s wood will start to soften. Therefore, use a screwdriver to test how firm the wood is by gently poking it on the sides and the bottom. If the screwdriver easily penetrates through, this calls for immediate attention from a professional. In addition to that, keep an eye out for any damages to the surface or door components.
Fixing Cracks Immediately
Prolonging any rot found on your garage door will most likely allow it to spread further into your door. In this case, immediately seal the door after finding any cracks in your door to prevent water from penetrating again. You can purchase a wood filler from your local store nearby and fill it into the cracks using a putty knife.
Protecting The Door From Water
Rain or plumbing issues can create a problem for your wooden door. Ensure that you clean and repair your gutter frequently to avoid water from collecting around the garage. Another option is to use door seals at the bottom of your garage door to prevent water from reaching the wood. Keeping the area around your garage door free from water can prevent rot.
Conclusion:
Every wooden piece of furniture is prone to rot, and you may follow similar steps to safeguard them. Additional precautions include polishing and painting. For all your painting needs, you can rely on TX Home Works; you can ring us at (281) 841 6146 for more information.