Pre-storm prep that prevents bent panels, broken springs, and water intrusion
Denver’s Front Range weather can turn fast—strong winds, sudden temperature swings, and hail that shows up before you’ve even finished the “I should move the car” thought. Your garage door is one of the largest moving parts of your home or building, and it also happens to be one of the widest, most wind-exposed openings. When severe weather hits, small weaknesses (loose hardware, tired springs, worn bottom seal, misaligned tracks) can become big damage.
Griswold Overhead Door & Construction helps homeowners, small business owners, and property managers across the Denver Metro area keep doors, gates, and dock equipment reliable through Colorado’s roughest seasons—by focusing on practical prevention, code-smart upgrades, and fast response when things go sideways.
Why severe weather targets garage doors
Garage doors take a beating in Colorado because they’re wide, relatively thin compared to exterior walls, and full of connection points (hinges, rollers, brackets, tracks, cables). When wind pressure hits the face of a door, it tries to flex the panels and pull hardware out of alignment. Hail adds impact damage—especially to non-insulated doors or doors with thinner steel—and sudden cold can make older weather seals brittle.
Locally, Colorado’s commonly referenced “hail season” often runs roughly mid-April through mid-September, which lines up with when many Denver-area owners see the most frequent storm alerts. That means your “garage door weather plan” should start before summer and stay active through early fall.
The biggest storm-related failure points (and what they look like)
1) Bottom seal & perimeter weatherstrip
If your garage smells musty after rain, you see daylight at the corners, or you notice water lines on the slab, your seals may be the weak link. Wind-driven rain and melting hail can push right under a worn bottom seal.
If your garage smells musty after rain, you see daylight at the corners, or you notice water lines on the slab, your seals may be the weak link. Wind-driven rain and melting hail can push right under a worn bottom seal.
2) Loose hinges/roller brackets
Rattling in gusty conditions, “popping” sounds while running, or rollers that look crooked can mean hardware is loosening. Wind flex increases that movement.
Rattling in gusty conditions, “popping” sounds while running, or rollers that look crooked can mean hardware is loosening. Wind flex increases that movement.
3) Track alignment
After a wind event, a door may start rubbing, binding, or leaving scuff marks. Even small shifts can change how the door stacks into the radius and can lead to cable issues.
After a wind event, a door may start rubbing, binding, or leaving scuff marks. Even small shifts can change how the door stacks into the radius and can lead to cable issues.
4) Springs and lift cables
Springs don’t “fail from weather” directly—but high use + time + lack of balance testing can lead to a break at the worst moment (like when you’re trying to close up before a storm). A door that’s out of balance also strains the opener.
Springs don’t “fail from weather” directly—but high use + time + lack of balance testing can lead to a break at the worst moment (like when you’re trying to close up before a storm). A door that’s out of balance also strains the opener.
5) Panels and struts
Dents from hail are obvious, but wind damage is sneakier: a bowed top section, a door that looks “wavy,” or cracked panel seams can be signs the door needs reinforcement or replacement.
Dents from hail are obvious, but wind damage is sneakier: a bowed top section, a door that looks “wavy,” or cracked panel seams can be signs the door needs reinforcement or replacement.
Quick comparison: DIY checks vs. technician-level storm hardening
Item
Good DIY step
When to call Griswold
Seal & weatherstrip
Look for gaps, cracking, or hard/brittle rubber
Water intrusion, repeated freezing at threshold, visible daylight
Door balance
Observe if door “slams” down or shoots up
Any imbalance—springs are under high tension (safety issue)
Rollers & hinges
Listen for grinding; check for wobble
Door binds, track looks bent, or hardware is pulling from the door
Wind reinforcement
Keep the door closed and latched during high wind
Add struts, upgrade to wind-rated door, inspect attachment points
Tip: If your building is in an exposed area (open fields, corner lots, commercial pads), wind pressure can be more intense. Wind load requirements come from building codes and engineering standards; matching the door system (door + track + hardware) to the site matters more than most people realize.
Pre-storm checklist (Denver Metro): what to do before the alert hits
1) Do a 60-second safety look
Check for:
• A crooked door (one side higher than the other)
• Frayed lift cables near the bottom bracket
• Loose bolts on hinges and track supports
• Gaps at the bottom seal or sides
2) Clear the “projectile zone”
Wind and hail often arrive together. Secure:
• Trash cans, patio furniture, planters, ladders
• Loose lumber or jobsite materials near the garage
• Sports gear and bikes that can slam into the door
3) Close the door fully and confirm it seals
A door that stops short (even by half an inch) is more vulnerable to wind-driven rain and can “catch” wind at the bottom. If you see light at the corners, your seal may be worn or the door may be out of alignment.
4) Protect the opener and keep access options
If severe weather is forecast:
• Make sure your opener remote works and the wall button responds
• Know where your emergency release is (and how to use it safely)
• If you rely on power, consider a battery backup-capable setup for reliability
5) Don’t “storm-test” the door under load
Avoid repeatedly opening/closing during high wind gusts. If the door is already acting up, forcing cycles can push a minor track/roller issue into a derailment.
After the storm: what to check before you use the door like normal
Once it’s safe and calm, do a quick post-storm inspection:
• Look for dents and creases along panel seams—creases can weaken the panel and hinges.
• Check the tracks for new bends or separation from the wall framing.
• Listen for new noises (grinding, popping, scraping) on the first cycle.
• Confirm the photo eyes are aligned and clean—wind-driven debris can bump them out of position.
If the door feels heavier than usual, stops mid-travel, or looks shifted in the opening, stop using it and schedule service. Continuing to run a stressed system can turn a repair into a replacement.
Did you know? Fast facts that matter in Denver
Hail season has a pattern. In Colorado, hail activity is commonly discussed as peaking from mid-spring into late summer—so it’s smart to plan maintenance before the first big run of storm warnings.
A garage door is a “wind pressure surface.” Even outside hurricane zones, wind can flex a door enough to affect tracks and rollers—especially on larger doors or doors with existing wear.
Preventive maintenance is storm prep. Tightening hardware, lubricating moving parts, checking balance, and verifying safety sensors can reduce the chance of a failure right when you need the door to close securely.
Local angle: Denver Metro weather, schedules, and smart timing
In the Denver area, many property owners time door tune-ups around the start of spring and again mid-summer—because the weather shifts quickly and severe storm alerts can stack up during the warmer months. If you manage a small commercial site (warehouse bay doors, dock equipment, gate operators), weather-readiness isn’t just about protection; it’s about avoiding downtime when trucks need access and tenants need security.
If you’re in newer growth corridors around the Metro (where exposure can be more open and wind can move fast), wind reinforcement and proper track attachment are worth a closer look. If you’re in older neighborhoods, seals, alignment, and door balance often deliver the biggest reliability gains.
Need help before or after a storm?
If your garage door is struggling to close, your opener is straining, or you’re seeing gaps that let wind-driven rain inside, it’s worth getting a professional inspection. Griswold Overhead Door & Construction serves the Denver Metro area with repair, preventive maintenance, new installation, and emergency support for residential and commercial doors, gates, docks, and related equipment.
Schedule Service / Request Support
For urgent issues (door off track, broken spring symptoms, door won’t close before weather), stop using the system and reach out—springs and cables are high-tension components.
FAQ: Severe weather & garage doors (Denver, CO)
Should I open my garage door during a hailstorm to move a vehicle?
If hail is already falling and wind is gusting, repeatedly cycling the door can be risky. If you must move a vehicle, do it only when it’s safe and visibility is good. If the door is acting unusual, don’t force it—hail and wind can coincide with debris and power issues.
What’s the most important “storm prep” maintenance item?
Door balance and attachment integrity (tracks, hinges, brackets) tend to be the biggest reliability drivers. A balanced door reduces opener strain, and solid hardware reduces the chance of misalignment when wind pressure hits.
How do I know if wind damaged my door if there are no dents?
Watch for new scraping sounds, slower travel, a door that looks bowed when closed, or gaps that weren’t there before. Also check the top section—wind often stresses the upper panel and top fixtures.
Can I replace just the bottom seal to stop water intrusion?
Sometimes, yes—especially if the door is aligned well and the floor is relatively even. If the slab slopes or the door is out of square, a seal alone may not solve it; you may need alignment adjustments or perimeter weatherstrip improvements.
Is preventive maintenance worth it for commercial doors and docks?
For many facilities, yes—because downtime can disrupt deliveries, staffing, and security. Regular inspection and lubrication can catch worn rollers, fraying cables, sensor issues, and hardware movement before a storm exposes the weak point.
Contact Griswold Overhead Door & Construction for scheduling, emergency support, or a storm-readiness inspection.
Glossary (garage door storm-prep terms)
Bottom seal
The rubber/vinyl strip at the bottom of the door that helps block water, dust, and drafts.
The rubber/vinyl strip at the bottom of the door that helps block water, dust, and drafts.
Photo eyes (safety sensors)
The paired sensors near the floor that stop/reverse the door if something crosses the beam.
The paired sensors near the floor that stop/reverse the door if something crosses the beam.
Door balance
How evenly the springs counterweight the door. A well-balanced door feels steady and doesn’t “drop” or “run away” during movement.
How evenly the springs counterweight the door. A well-balanced door feels steady and doesn’t “drop” or “run away” during movement.
Wind-rated / pressure-rated door
A door system designed and tested to resist specified wind pressures for a given site and code requirements.
A door system designed and tested to resist specified wind pressures for a given site and code requirements.
Strut
A reinforcement bar (often steel) added across a door section to reduce flex under load (like wind pressure).
A reinforcement bar (often steel) added across a door section to reduce flex under load (like wind pressure).
Looking for long-term reliability?
Preventive maintenance is one of the simplest ways to reduce storm-related headaches. Learn more on our Services page, or reach out here to get scheduled.