Salt Air and Your Garage Door: A Sunshine Coast Guide

Sea breeze carries fine salt a long way inland, and it settles on everything. Garage doors are a particular target because they are made of steel parts that move, rub and sit in the open for years. On the Sunshine Coast that means a door a few streets from the beach can age much faster than the same door in Brisbane's western suburbs.

Which parts go first

• Springs. Torsion and roller door springs are bare steel under constant tension. Rust weakens them and makes them more likely to snap.
• Cables. Fine steel strands corrode and fray, especially near the bottom brackets.
• Bottom rail and brackets. Water and salt collect at the bottom of the door.
• Rollers and bearings. Corroded bearings seize and flat spots develop.
• Motor rail and chain. Pitting and rust make the opener work harder.
• Fixings. Standard screws and bolts rust and stain the door.

Choosing a door that copes

If you are buying a new door near the beach, ask about finishes made for coastal conditions and stainless or coastal-grade hardware. Read the warranty, as many manufacturers set conditions based on how close the home is to the sea or breaking surf. Our new garage doors page covers other things to discuss at the quote.

Simple ways to slow corrosion

1. Rinse it. Wash the outside of the door with fresh water every so often, particularly after a windy spell.
2. Keep the bottom clear. Sweep out sand and leaves that hold moisture against the bottom rail.
3. Service it. A technician will check springs and cables and replace parts before they fail. See garage door servicing.
4. Replace like for better. When parts wear out, ask for coastal-grade replacements.

When to worry

If you can see rust on the springs or the cables are fraying, stop using the door and get it checked. A spring or cable that fails under load can drop the door suddenly.

If your door is showing its age, tell us your suburb and a local technician will be in touch.