Flooded garages aren’t too common in our parts, but after that recent six-day rain in Amarillo, you may have seen the waters creep up into your garage. If water ever enters your garage, it’s important to clean it up as soon as possible.

How do I clean up my garage after flooding?

Apart from damaged items, there is also possible structural damage to think about. You need to prevent any accidents and more damage by turning off power at the mains to avoid electrocution. Next, you need to call in the insurance people to carry out their assessment and to verify that it is the result of natural calamity rather than negligence on your part.

Before all the water is out, it is advisable to manually operate your automatic garage door. Open it up all the way and take out the car. You will then need sturdy containers where you will put in the items you remove from the garage. If your garage was tidy and well maintained, this will be all the much easier.

Put items that are completely damaged in one container for disposal. In another, put items that can be salvaged and need to be put out to be dried. Empty the garage completely, taking out everything from the shelves and floor.

You will then need to push the water. Use a floor water pusher to do this. Apart from waterproof boots, you should be wearing plastic gloves to protect yourself from contaminants that might have come in with the water. Hopefully, the water from the flood will be receding so the water will be staying out as you push it out.

When the flood water is out, disinfect the floor. Sterifab and household bleach are ideal. Use the solution to wipe over the shelves as well. Sterifab works well in preventing mold and mildew and destroying them if there are there.Leave the garage door open for as long as possible after cleaning so that it dries out faster.

Is there structural damage?

Depending on the level of flooding, the walls and door of the garage may be damaged. The only way to verify this is to have the experts come in and take a look. The insulation may also have been damaged and need to be redone. If your door has an automatic opener, it is also necessary to test it and ensure that there isn't any water of it that has damaged the opener. You don't want to get electrocuted trying to do this yourself.

Who can repair my garage door after flooding?

Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door can assist you and undertake necessary repairs. If you don't have weather stripping, we highly advise you look into this. Not only does weather stripping help protect your garage from water damage, but it is also beneficial during Amarillo’s cold, sometimes harsh winters and snowstorms. Contact owner Tony Hall today to find out how you can protect your garage from damage.

A garage door must open and close all the way to serve its intended purpose -- keeping your car and possessions safe. One that won't close properly presents an opportunity for intruders to get into your garage and home. Also, when the garage door will not open or close properly, it may strain parts like the spring, which can snap and cause damage or injuries when the door suddenly comes crashing down.

Are the seals on the sides the problem?

Is the problem that the door won't bind or seal properly when the door is closing? Instead of closing smoothly, does the door groan, jerk or reverse automatically? If so, you may be able to sort out the problem yourself. Purchase pipe insulation used to insulate copper pipes from a hardware store. Stuff this pipe insulation into the rubber seal at the bottom of the garage door where it is not sealing properly. It's best to do this during warm weather.

If you observe that the door is binding on the side where the weather seal is, take a bar of soap and rub it on the spots that are sticking. This should stop the door from sticking.

Is the weatherstripping completely worn down?

If the weatherstripping on your door is completely worn down, then you will experience the problem of a door that won't seal. Some garage doors come with a metal track that holds a replaceable rubber seal. With time, the seal tends to crack and flatten, but it is not difficult to replace such a seal.

A gap of just a fraction of an inch around the edge of the door can let in as much cold air as one that is two inches wide. That is a lot of draft during the chilly months. Good weatherstripping gets rid of such drafts. It is easy to do and can last for years. Integrated vinyl tubing makes for a very effective seal against cold air and moisture.

Close the door and measure the length of the door along the side that will not seal properly. Transfer the measurement to a length of weatherstripping. You then need to draw a straight cutting line. Using a utility knife for the vinyl tubing and a hacksaw for the metal, cut through the material with a fine blade with 32 teeth per inch.

Then, using a self-centering drill bit, drill pilot holes and then put in the screws. Once you have them in place, attach the weatherstripping to the side of the door. If done correctly, the sound the door makes when you close the door will tell you so.

Can't do it?

If you find that replacing the weatherstripping is not something you can do correctly, don't hesitate to call in the experts on garage doors in Amarillo and the surround area. Willow Creek Overhead Door is well known for the quality of garage doors it supplies and its fast and efficient service. Contact these experts to look at your door and your distress call will be answered within hours. They will come seal the door properly so you can rest easy about winter drafts and a door that won't close smoothly.

Have you ever suffered damage from floods? This may be an odd question for us Texas Panhandlers. Although Amarillo, Texas is usually a dry and arid place, it can flood. When it rains it pours, and the area has suffered from flooding over the years. Storms can bring about flash floods and road closures very quickly in this area. One way to minimize damage to your home, car and other contents of your garage is by installing a flood barrier.

What are garage flood barriers?

Modern flood barriers are an improvement of older flood control methods, which were cumbersome and did not provide enough protection. They are also not considered efficient preventive measures by insurance companies so they can drive flood insurance premiums up. These include flood protection methods such as sandbags.

Modern flood barriers, which are also known as flood panels and flood shields, are made to offer adequate protection against the damage that can be caused by floodwater inundation. A flood barrier are not difficult to install and they provide an effective, watertight seal for openings such as garage doors.

What type of flood barriers are available?

Different types of openings need different designs that offer maximum protection. One option is flood panels. This is a removable flood barrier system that can be used for single and double door openings. They are made up of panels that are made to suit the height of the opening and each panel has a rubber gasket gadget that keeps water out.

There is also the post and panel system. It is similar to standard floor panels with the difference that panels are mounted on vertical posts that are removable. The puddle panel is another way you can go. This is a type of panel that is designed to be a quick reaction system which can withstand low levels of flooding. It is quickly and easily installed and it works very well to keep water from getting into entryways like your garage door.

You can also go for a hinged flood gate. The difference between this flood barrier and others is that it is installed at the opening location permanently. They can be customized to fit single and double entry ways. The fact that they are permanent makes them unsuitable for use over the garage in your primary residence. You may however have them installed over a holiday home especially one in a flood prone area.

There is also the pedestrian flood door which is also known as the man door. These resemble and work like the standard pedestrian door only that it has been reinforced internally. This is a done with a sealing mechanism that is placed within the frame. When the door is closed, there seal keeps water out. This option would have to be custom made for your garage door.
You may also opt for a flood log. This is a modular system that is designed to stand up to high velocity water movement and impact. It works very well more so in areas where weather extremes like hurricanes are common.

How can I protect my garage from flooding?

It is best to bring in the experts when choosing a flood barrier for your garage door. They will advise you on what works with your door and they can undertake to custom make and install your flood barrier. 

Call on Willow Creek Overhead Door for professional and expert advice and installation of your garage door flood barrier. Owner Tony Hall has years of experience installing and repairing a variety of garage and overhead doors. He knows how Amarillo is subject to torrential downpours, and he can help protect your home or business from potential flood damage. Contact Willow Creek Overhead Door today for a quote.

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

One common winter challenge is your garage door getting stuck. The door may stick because snow or rain that was at the bottom of the door has frozen.

How do I prevent my garage door from sticking in the winter?

One way to prevent a stuck door is by coating the bottom of the door using a water displacing spray. Before you do this, lift the door up and clean out the bottom ridge. Get off all the dirt and clean the concrete floor as well. Then, sprinkle table salt over the area where the door rests on the concrete floor. If the door is starting to stick already, apply the spray again and pour on more salt so that the door doesn't completely freeze over the floor.

What about rubber stripping for garage doors?

Ice can collect on the weather stripping or rubber under on the garage door or along its tracks and stop it from opening and closing smoothly. To prevent this, coat the rubber using the water displacing spray or floor wax. The coating of wax prevents the door from getting stuck and the door will slide and open without any problems. Avoid petroleum-based products for coating the rubber as it can degrade it.

What about latex paint?

Is your garage door or its frame is painted with latex-based paint, the door might get stuck because of chemicals in the paint. The same chemicals that make the paint adhere so well can also get the door to get stuck which is known as blocking.

Blocking can be particularly bad just after the door has been painted. Freezing temperatures also don't help the paint dry completely. If the problem keeps recurring, it may come down to removing the latex paint and repainting the door with another kind of paint. Acrylic and alkyd paint are made to stop blocking.

What about automatic openers?

An automatic opener should do that just that — it should open automatically. However, even your automatic garage door may seem like it is getting stuck when the temperatures are really low. What might be happening is that the opener may be reacting to changes in temperature.

Modern openers have adjustment buttons at the back or under the lens of a light. If you do make adjustments, do it gradually. Big adjustments can put undue pressure on the door and damage it.

Who offers garage door repairs in Amarillo?

If these steps don't work, call in the experts. Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door will be glad to take a look and advise you accordingly. They are very familiar with dealing with garage and overhead door problems resulting from cold, icy Amarillo winters. If you need  weather stripping or a repair for hail or snow damage, call Willow Creek Overhead Door today for a free estimate.

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

Is your garage door protected against the potential perils of winter? If you don't take precautions, your garage door will need major repair because of snow and ice damage. Having to do that while enduring the chilly temperatures and snow is not appealing. So how can snow and ice and the brutal winds of winter damage your garage door? Here are some possibilities.

Can snow damage your garage door?

One part of your garage door that can get damaged is the gears on the opener, which can become stripped or damaged should the door freeze over into the floor. Damage can also occur on the opener when struggling to free the it from the ice and snow that has build up on the threshold of the garage door.

How can you prevent snow damage to your garage door?

You can prevent damage is by minimizing chances of the door becoming frozen into the floor. You can keep it free of snow and ice build-up with a simple mixture made with products that you have in your home.

Mix a teaspoon of dish soap, a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and half a gallon of warm water.  Mix them well and pour them over the garage threshold. You will be able to open it without any problems. Do this every now and again and not just once.

Has your garage door become dented from snow?

Another form of damage that is popular over winter is garage doors that have been dented as the result of cars sliding because of ice and snow. The damage may be minimal or major depending on how much impact a car had and the material that the door is made of.

Sometimes, the damage is so bad that the door may fail to open and close. At other times, the damage may be minimal and require only a paint job to cover it up. Either way, it's best to call in the experts to assess the damage and be sure that there is no any major work. You may assume that there is no damage until a jammed door tells you otherwise when you need to drive you car into the garage or get out of it and go somewhere.

Have your done weather stripping?

This is another precaution that will help preserve your door.Weather stripping entails putting in rubber vinyl around the door to keep snow and ice out. This need to be changed over time and this is also a job that is best left to the professionals.

Who can fix garage doors?

Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door repairs and installs garage and overhead doors. If you just have a question about your garage door, don’t hesitate to call Willow Creek Overhead Door. Their knowledgeable, friendly staff can tell you everything you need to know about maintaining your garage door during volatile Amarillo winters.

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

During winter, buildings need to be well heated. Areas like the garage that are directly exposed to the elements need to be protected from damage. Whether it is a garage at your home, or one at your place of work, it is important to preserve your door with weather stripping during the colder months in Amarillo, Texas.

Do I need weather stripping for my garage?

One method is weather stripping. It creates a barrier between the garage door and the garage door opening. Over time, the stripping starts getting worn down. It becomes brittle and it starts cracking. When this happens, cold air gets into the garage and into the house via the door and the frame.

When the weather stripping starts to show signs of wear, it should be fixed immediately. It is best to inspect it once the temperatures start to drop before the worst of winter starts.

For the sake of ensuring that weather stripping is as effective as possible and your home has maximum energy efficiency, you would do well to leave the job to the experts. They will do a professional job so that the stripping lasts longer.

How is weather stripping restored?

The process begins with removing all the weather stripping and scraping off any sealant that is left. New weather stripping will only adhere well and last for long if applied on a clean and smooth surface. It will also seal much better.

The professionals will do it right by aligning it such that the rubber flap lies slightly flat against the garage door. This provides a good seal and ensures the door opens and closes without a problem.

Another way to protect your garage is through insulation. Even if you will not be spending much time here, insulating your garage will ensure that the rest of your home is energy efficient. Modern garages are usually attached to the home so if your garage is not well insulated, you will be losing heat through it. A well insulated garage will also protect your car from incidents of freezing if you are using gel fuel and the engine refusing to start because of freezing temperatures.

Remember that the garage walls and door also need to be insulated. You can lose heat through the walls and doors as well. It is important that you call in the experts to do a professional insulation job. A DIY job using insulation kits may cost you less but it may not be properly done which  means  that when you think you have done a good insulation job, you'll  actually be losing heat through your garage.

Amarillo Garage Door Experts

Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door is well known for their professionalism, affordable prices and expertise. Call them today, get your weather stripping restored and keep your garage well protected during the often unpredictable Amarillo winter weather.