Salt air and your garage door
In east Boynton and on the barrier island, springs, cables and brackets rust twice as fast. The right hardware and two tune-ups a year cost less than one emergency.
What rusts first
- Bottom brackets and cable ends. They sit where rain and salt collect. When they rust through, the cable lets go.
- Springs. Rated for 10 to 15 years inland, often 5 to 7 years within a mile or two of the water.
- Steel rollers and hinges. Rust makes them grind, and the opener works harder.
- Fasteners and the track. Plain steel screws stain and loosen.
What we use near the water
- Coated or oil-tempered springs
- Sealed nylon rollers with stainless bearings
- Galvanized cables and brackets
- Stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners
- Aluminum or composite doors for homes on the island
A five-minute habit
Once a month, rinse the bottom of the door and the lower track with fresh water from the hose, and let it dry with the door open. It's the cheapest maintenance there is.
ZIP codes where we see it most
33435 (east Boynton, Ocean Ridge, Briny Breezes), 33483 (east Delray, Gulf Stream), 33462 near the Intracoastal in Lantana and Hypoluxo.
Book a tune-upSalt air questions
Most of the damage we see is within about two miles of the ocean or the Intracoastal: east of Federal Highway, and every home on the barrier island.
Aluminum and composite doors don't rust, which makes them a good choice on the island. They still need a Florida Product Approval and stainless or galvanized hardware.
Every six months: before hurricane season in May, and again in the winter.
Door stuck right now?
Call and a person in Boynton answers. We'll tell you if it's safe to touch, when we can be there, and how long the fix usually takes, before anyone drives over.