Check your garage door's track, hinges, seals and opener before hurricane season starts on June 1, and again after any storm. Wind is the main threat: the Texas Department of Insurance says garage doors are especially vulnerable because of their wide opening and light material. If a door is crooked, scrapes, or has a broken spring or cable, stop using it and call a technician.
What the Valley asks of a garage door
A garage door is usually the widest opening in the house, and it faces the street. The Texas Department of Insurance says garage doors are especially vulnerable to high winds because of the long span of the opening and their relatively lightweight material. A door that looks fine on a calm day can bend or pull out of its track in a storm.
The National Weather Service says hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year and defines a major hurricane as one with winds of 111 mph or higher. You do not need a major hurricane to cause damage. The service also notes that straight line winds in strong thunderstorms can exceed 100 mph.
Is your address in a coastal wind zone?
Texas treats 14 coastal counties, plus parts of Harris County, as a designated catastrophe area. Cameron County, where Brownsville sits, is one of the 14 first-tier counties the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association lists. Hidalgo County, home of McAllen and Edinburg, is not on that list, and neither is Webb County, where Laredo is.
The Department of Insurance says most new construction, roof replacements and major repairs in the designated area need an inspection and a certificate of compliance, and that garage doors in Texas must be tested to ASTM E 330. Rules vary by city and HOA, so before you replace a door, ask your city building department, your HOA and your insurance agent what applies to your address.
What to check by season
| When | What to check | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before June 1 | Track bolts, hinges, rollers, panels and seals. With the opener released, the door should move smoothly by hand. | Hurricane season starts June 1 |
| When a storm is forecast | Close the door fully, clear loose items from the driveway and yard, and photograph the door. | Loose items can become flying missiles |
| After a storm | Look for a crooked section, new gaps, dents, cracked windows and any scraping sound. | Wind can bend a section or loosen a track |
| Every spring and fall | Seals, weatherstripping, opener light, safety sensors and remote batteries. | Small wear is cheaper to fix early |
A seasonal check is a look and a listen, not a repair. Springs and cables stay with a technician.
Jobs we handle across the Valley
Most calls fall into a few groups: a door that came off its track after wind or a bump, a broken spring or cable, an opener that stopped after a storm, worn seals and rollers, and doors that are too damaged to repair. Our pages on garage door repair and spring repair explain what a technician checks.
If a door is old and the model is gone, a new garage door may cost less than repeated repairs. In a coastal county, ask which wind rating the new door carries and keep the paperwork.
Quick answers
When is hurricane season in the Rio Grande Valley?
The National Weather Service says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. It is a good habit to check your garage door before June 1.
Do I need a wind-rated garage door in the Valley?
It depends on your address. The Texas Department of Insurance says garage doors in Texas must be tested to ASTM E 330, and coastal counties have extra inspection rules. Ask your city building department and HOA what applies.
Should I use my garage door after a storm?
If it moves smoothly by hand and has only dents, usually yes. If it is crooked, scrapes, or a spring or cable looks broken, stop using it and call a technician.
What should I photograph after wind damage?
Take wide and close photos of the whole door, the track, the hinges and any broken parts before anything is moved. Keep the date on your phone photos.
After a storm: stop first, then look
If a section is bent, the door hangs crooked, a spring looks broken or a cable is loose, do not run the opener and do not try to lift the door. Springs and cables hold a lot of force. Keep people and cars clear and call a technician.
If the door only has cosmetic dents and moves smoothly by hand, you can usually keep using it while you photograph the damage and talk to your insurer.
How to choose a repair company
- Ask for an itemized quote that lists each part and the labor.
- Ask what wind rating a replacement door has and for the documents if you are in a coastal county.
- Ask who handles springs and cables and how the job is finished and tested.
- Keep your photos, quote and receipts together in case you file a claim.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Texas, including Brownsville, McAllen, Edinburg and Laredo. Call or send your details with a photo and we book the soonest visit.
Services that fit this problem
Garage door and gate help near you
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
More guides
Sources
- National Weather Service: Hurricane safety (season dates, major hurricane wind speed, loose items)
- National Weather Service: Wind safety (damaging wind speeds in strong thunderstorms)
- Texas Department of Insurance: Windstorm building FAQ (garage doors, high wind, ASTM E 330)
- Texas Department of Insurance: What you need to know about windstorm inspections (designated catastrophe area, certificate of compliance)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: Overview (the 14 first-tier coastal counties and the Harris County portion)