When you want that authentic California living experience, it’s best to find a little bungalow right on the coast. Living in Santa Monica, Malibu, Marina del Rey, and other coastal communities is incredibly rewarding. You get to wake up to beautiful scenes while sipping on your coffee.
The trouble is that all that salt air and extra moisture may not be ideal for your garage door repair needs in Santa Monica. Rust is a real concern. Here are the reasons your system might be degrading faster than one in a more inland location.
Salt Air on the Coast Accelerates Metal Corrosion
The ocean air flowing through Malibu or Santa Monica carries microscopic salt particles. When those tiny particles reach your residential or commercial property, they stick to any available metal surfaces. That includes your roll-up or standard garage door. Once that salt combines with moisture from rain and dewy days, oxidation begins.
Even the best garage doors can develop rust spots, corroded hinges, weak torsion, noisy rollers, and discoloration from oxidation. That is why maintenance is so important.
Garage Door Springs Wear Out Faster Near the Coast
One particular point on your Malibu garage door repair checklist is your springs. They are made from metal and carry a massive amount of tension. Every time the garage door opens and closes, salt air gets into those metal coils.
If you want to extend the lifespan of your Malibu garage door, periodically wipe or spray off the springs. Otherwise, you’ll see premature spring failure, snapped materials, and uneven door movement.
Coastal Humidity Damages Tracks and Rollers
Another reason your Santa Monica garage door is breaking down faster than someone in the Valley is the coastal humidity. Salt moisture loves to build up in hard-to-reach areas. What might seem like a track misalignment at first could be due to rust getting into the roller tracks, motor wear, or grinding.
Certain garage door materials do better in salty air than others. Try to stick to:
- Aluminum garage doors
- Vinyl-coated systems
- Powder-coated hardware
- Stainless steel components
- Rust-resistant tracks and hinges
The higher risk of rust is why you can find many luxury Malibu and Santa Monica homes with wooden garage doors rather than metal.
Preventative Maintenance Matters More Near the Ocean
The best way to prevent rust from getting into your garage doors is to have regular inspections and lubrication treatments. Having a professional team come to your business or home property to check the springs, tracks, protective coatings, and other hardware will help you catch rust before it causes greater damage.
Coastal Garage Doors in Santa Monica and Malibu Need Specialized Attention
Anywhere near a beach community in California is going to experience more rust exposure than somewhere more inland. That difference will impact the look and operation of your garage doors.
When your garage door stops working, you want an expert to handle the issue quickly. Call our team at WIN Garage Door & Gates today, and we’ll provide the fast, reliable, and affordable service you need. Contact us at (310) 818-7272 to book an appointment.
