Did you know that three in four US homes measuring 1,600 to 2,000 square feet have a two-car garage? Moreover, 55% of their homeowners spend one to two hours there per week, doing hobbies or other tasks.
Does that describe you too? In that case, you likely operate your garage door more often.
The question now is: do you tend to leave it open? If so, it’s you may want to stop doing that.
We’ll tell you why you should never leave a garage door open, so read on.
Ultraviolet Radiation Damage
Texas isn’t only one of, if not the hottest state in the US; it also has among the highest ultraviolet (UV) indices all year. That’s especially true for cities in the south, such as San Antonio, where the lowest average UV index is 3. Unfortunately, Alamo City’s UV index goes up to an average high of 7 come June to August.
The problem is that the higher the UV index, the more severe fading and discoloration it can do to materials. So, if you always leave your garage door open, the sun’s UV rays can damage your garage floor. That’s even more likely to occur on unfinished floors or those with epoxy coatings.
If you now have a yellowed or faded epoxy floor, consider upgrading to polyurea. Polyurea garage floor coatings are up to 20 times stronger than epoxy and resist UV. They’re also moisture-resistant, protecting your concrete from damage.
It’s still a must to close your garage door even after the upgrade, as leaving it open can lead to other problems.
Property Crime
As per the San Antonio Police Department, 60,745 property crimes occurred in the city in 2021. Larceny-theft was the most common (44,306 cases), followed by vehicle theft (8,886) and then burglary (7,553). All those figures show an increase from the previous year.
Leaving your garage door open, in turn, can attract criminals into your home. If that happens, they can take not only your car but also valuable tools you keep in the garage. Vandals may also cause property, vehicle, and garage damage.
So, keep your garage door closed and locked for the safety and security of your home and family.
Pest and Vermin Infestation
Texas is home to 142 species of mammals, amphibians, and other animals. That’s on top of 32 native bat species and a whopping 540 bird species. And don’t forget that the Lone Star State also has its fair share of snakes, venomous and not.
Unfortunately, some of those animals can make their way into your home via your garage. That’s more likely to happen if you leave your garage door open.
It’s even worse if the ones that enter your home are pests, such as rats and mice. Infestations can result in an unsanitary, dirty garage and cause a decrease in home value.
Worse, many pests are more than nuisances; they also bring diseases.
So, always mind your garage door and keep it closed, locked, and pest-proof.
Weather Damage
Over the years, San Antonio has experienced extreme, even weird, weather events. That includes rare snow sightings, hailstorms, and flooding.
If any of that occurs on a day you leave your garage door open, your garage may end up damaged. You can protect your garage floor with polyurea coating, but it’s still best to keep the door closed.
Don’t Leave Your Garage Door Open
As you can see, leaving your garage door open can result in all sorts of damage caused by UV, pests, and weather. Criminals can also use it to gain access to your home.
Those are good enough reasons to close and secure your garage door all the time.
Are you interested in improving your home and boosting its value with a garage floor update? Then our team here at Garage Force San Antonio is happy to help! Call us now to learn more about our polyurea floor coatings.