The National Weather Service defines the monsoon as June 15 to September 30 and says its advice for storms is to close garage doors so rushing air cannot enter, and to secure or bring in outdoor items. After a storm, check the door by eye, then by hand with the opener disconnected. Stop using a door that scrapes, hangs crooked or feels heavy.
What the monsoon brings
The National Weather Service (NWS) Tucson office says June 15 through September 30 has been defined as the monsoon. It says thunderstorm wind gusts in Arizona almost always exceed 40 mph, and that the strongest straight-line gusts can exceed 100 mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers damaging winds of 60 mph or greater.
A garage door is a large, flat panel with a wide opening behind it, so it is one of the first parts of a house a gust finds. Wind can push on the panels, throw debris at them and fill the garage with dust.
Before the storm
The NWS gives two plain steps for homes: secure outdoor furniture and garbage cans or move them indoors, and close garage doors to prevent inward rushing air from removing the roof or downing walls. A door left open is a way in for the wind.
- Park inside only if the door is closed behind you, then confirm it is down.
- Clear loose items, bins and tools from the driveway and the front of the door.
- Look at the bottom seal and the side seals; a torn seal lets wind and dust in.
- Keep the red release handle clear in case the power goes out and you need to lift the door by hand.
After the storm: what you see and what to do
| What you see | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Branches or gravel in the track | The door may bind or the rollers may jump out | Clear by hand with the door closed and the opener disconnected |
| A dented or creased panel | A section may no longer sit square in the track | Stop using the door and call |
| Cracked or loose window panels | Glass or a retainer can fall out | Keep people clear; Clopay says stop using a door with loose or cracked glass |
| Door scrapes, jerks or hangs crooked | Bent track, hinge or section | Do not run the opener; call a technician |
| Opener dead after a power cut | The opener may only need power back | Use the red handle to lift by hand; see the balance test below |
Storm damage varies. We confirm the cause on site.
Check the door by hand
Disconnect the opener
With the door down, pull the red release handle.
Lift to the halfway point
Clopay says a balanced door hangs in place when you let go. If it falls or rises, the springs need a technician.
Move it up and down
It should move smoothly and be easy to control. If it is hard to move, opens too quickly or the rollers leave the track, stop using it.
Look at the hardware
Check hinges, rollers, brackets and bolts for anything loose or bent, without loosening anything yourself.
Clopay warns never to loosen or remove a bottom bracket while the springs hold tension. Do not repair a cable or spring after a storm; the parts can release suddenly.
Dust is part of the storm
NOAA says haboobs move forward with the gust front of thunderstorms and are typically seen across the central and western deserts during the summer monsoon season. The dust settles on tracks, rollers and the safety sensors. See cleaning tracks and sensors after a haboob for the clean-up.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Arizona, including Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita. Send a few photos of the damage with your details and we book the soonest visit. See garage door repair and new garage doors if a door cannot be saved.
Questions people ask
When is monsoon season in Arizona?
The National Weather Service defines it as June 15 through September 30, and storms can still arrive outside those dates.
Should I keep my garage door closed during a monsoon storm?
Yes. The National Weather Service advises closing garage doors so rushing air does not enter and damage the roof or walls.
Is it safe to use my garage door after a storm?
Only if it moves smoothly by hand with the opener disconnected and nothing is bent or loose. If it scrapes, hangs crooked or feels heavy, stop and call.
What if the power is out and the door is stuck?
Pull the red release handle and lift the door by hand only if it moves easily. If it is heavy or a spring looks broken, leave it closed and call.
Read next
Sources
- National Weather Service Tucson: Monsoon Safety (season dates, thunderstorm wind gusts, dust storm warning, garage door advice)
- NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS-WR 290: Blowing Dust and Dust Storms, One of Arizona's Most Underrated Weather Hazards
- Clopay: Care and Maintenance, Avante garage doors (inspection, lubrication, cleaning, photo eyes, fading warranty note)