Before hurricane season, check your garage door’s wind rating and test the opener’s battery backup, then keep the door closed and locked during the storm. We check both during garage door repair at Charleston Garage Door LLC. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, so plan ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- Hurricane season: According to NOAA’s tropical cyclone climatology, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.
- Wind-rated doors exist: Clopay’s WindCode and Amarr’s WindPro are wind-load garage door systems designed and tested to meet local code requirements in high-wind areas, including coastal regions.
- Power outage risk: An opener without battery backup will not open or close the door during a power outage, leaving the manual release cord as the only option.
Why Is Your Garage Door a Weak Point During a Storm?
A garage door is often the largest opening in a home’s exterior wall, sometimes over 100 square feet. When a garage door fails in high wind, pressure pushes into the garage and strains the roof and walls from the inside.
Does Your Garage Door Have a Wind Rating?
A wind-rated garage door is designed and tested to meet a specified design pressure for local wind conditions. DASMA’s TDS-155 wind load guide helps identify the appropriate rating and related test standards. Older doors installed before current codes took effect often lack this rating, especially in homes built before recent wind load requirements.
Upgrading to a Wind-Rated Door
We install Clopay and Amarr doors at Charleston Garage Door LLC. Both manufacturers offer wind-rated lines, Clopay’s WindCode and Amarr’s WindPro, with reinforcement built into the door itself. If your current door has no documented wind rating, ask us if a wind-rated model fits your home.
What Happens to Your Garage Door Opener During a Power Outage?
Without battery backup, a garage door opener stops responding to the wall control or remote the moment power fails. LiftMaster, Chamberlain, and Genie each offer garage door opener models with battery backup, and some existing Genie systems can add backup as an accessory, so an upgrade does not always require replacing the full opener
A power outage often hits when you need the door to move, whether to evacuate or close it back up. We service openers from all three brands at Charleston Garage Door LLC, including replacement when repair isn’t enough.
Should You Keep Your Garage Door Closed During a Storm?
Yes. A closed and locked door resists wind pressure the way it was designed and tested. An open door lets wind push directly into the garage, straining the roof and walls from inside.
| Timing | Action | Why It Matters |
| Start of hurricane season (June) | Confirm your door’s wind rating and inspect seals and tracks | Sets a safe baseline before storms form |
| Storm watch issued | Test the opener’s battery backup and manual release | Shows the door will still open if power fails |
| Storm warning issued | Close and lock the door, clear the surrounding area | Reduces wind load and debris impact risk |
What’s on a Pre-Hurricane Garage Door Checklist?
- Confirm your door’s wind rating matches your home’s location and exposure.
- Test the opener’s battery backup and manual release cord.
- Inspect weatherstripping, tracks, and seals for gaps or damage.
- Clear loose items from around the garage that wind could turn into debris.
If you notice an issue, contact us at (843) 905-2084. We offer garage door repair in Charleston, SC. Homeowners can schedule ahead of storm season, along with wind-rated door installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all garage doors need to be replaced before hurricane season?
No. Many doors can stay in service if they already carry a documented wind rating and pass an inspection. Replacement makes more sense for older, unrated doors.
Can a garage door be reinforced instead of replaced?
Reinforcement kits exist for some door and track types, but whether reinforcement or replacement fits your home depends on its age and condition. A professional inspection can confirm which option applies.
How far in advance should hurricane prep start?
Start before storm watches are issued. Technicians book up fast once a storm appears in the forecast, leaving no time for wind rating checks or opener testing on a last-minute schedule.
When Should You Call a Professional for Garage Door Repair?
Call before storm season if your door lacks a wind rating, your opener has no battery backup, or you notice gaps, rust, or track damage.
Need your garage door storm-ready? If you are a resident of Charleston, for garage door repair, contact Charleston Garage Door LLC at (843) 905-2084 or [email protected] before the next storm watch.