2026-03-13 7 min read
If you've lived in Curtis for any length of time, you already know that the rain doesn't quit. Lewis County averages around 58 inches of rain per year. well above the national average of 38 inches. and that persistent moisture doesn't just affect your yard or your roof. It quietly works on your garage door every single season. Most homeowners don't think about their garage door until something goes wrong. But out here in Lewis County, where the wet season stretches from fall well into spring, that reactive approach tends to get expensive fast.
The Pacific Northwest climate west of the Cascades means Curtis, Centralia, Chehalis, and their surrounding communities deal with frequent, prolonged rainfall rather than short intense bursts. That sustained exposure is actually harder on garage doors than occasional heavy storms.
If you have a wood door. common on older homes throughout rural Lewis County. moisture absorption is your biggest enemy. Wood swelling occurs when the door and its frame soak up rainwater, reducing the clearance between the two. When that clearance disappears, the door rubs against the frame or gets stuck entirely. It can be subtle at first: a little extra resistance, a slight scrape when closing. Left alone, it becomes a door that won't close properly at all.
Applying a quality exterior sealant or paint every couple of years is one of the most cost-effective ways to slow this down. Pay close attention to the bottom panel and the edges. those are the first places moisture gets in.
High humidity is hard on every metal component of your garage door system. springs, hinges, tracks, and cables. Studies have shown that untreated metal in humid conditions can begin to rust in as little as six months. In a place like Curtis, where you might see measurable rain on 150 days or more per year, that timeline is very real.
Rust on your springs is particularly serious. A rusty spring becomes brittle and is far more likely to snap unexpectedly. Check the springs above your door a couple of times a year. If you see orange discoloration, flaking, or visible pitting, it's time to call for an inspection before it becomes an emergency. You can also apply a silicone-based lubricant to your springs, hinges, and rollers every three to four months to keep moisture from settling in. Avoid WD-40. it strips existing lubrication rather than adding it.
The bottom seal on your garage door takes a direct beating in wet climates. It's the rubber or vinyl strip along the bottom edge that creates a barrier between the door and the ground. Over time. especially on uneven concrete aprons. this seal cracks, tears, or goes flat. Once it fails, rainwater can migrate under the door and pool on your garage floor, leading to mold, musty odors, and damage to anything stored at floor level.
Check your bottom seal every fall before the rains kick in. If it's cracked, brittle, or no longer making full contact with the floor, replacement is straightforward and inexpensive. The side and top seals (the weatherstripping around the door frame) deserve the same attention. You can learn about our full range of maintenance services to see what a seasonal inspection covers.
Curtis winters tend to stay in the mid-30s during the day, with nighttime lows dipping into the 20s. That range matters because water that collects near your garage door. from rain, roof runoff, or a clogged gutter. can freeze overnight and literally freeze your door shut. It can also cause your bottom seal to stick to the ground, and if you force the door open before it thaws, you'll tear the seal right off.
Before the overnight temperatures drop, clear any standing water from in front of your door and make sure your gutters are directing runoff away from the garage. It's also a good idea to test your door's safety reversal function regularly. especially in winter when cold temperatures can affect sensor sensitivity. Our post on safety reversal testing walks you through exactly how to do that.
Your garage door opener isn't immune to the climate either. Cold, damp conditions cause lubricants inside the opener mechanism to thicken, which forces the motor to work harder. If your opener sounds like it's straining. or if the door moves noticeably slower on cold mornings. thickened lubricants may be the culprit. Use an all-weather lubricant rated for low temperatures on your tracks and rollers each fall.
Remote batteries also drain faster in cold weather. If your remote stops working reliably between October and March, swap in fresh batteries before assuming the opener has a bigger problem.
You don't need to spend a lot of time or money maintaining your garage door against the Pacific Northwest climate. A consistent routine handles most of it:
- Every fall: Inspect and replace the bottom seal if needed. Lubricate all moving parts with a silicone or lithium-based spray. Clear gutters and check that runoff drains away from the garage. - Every winter: Watch for standing water or ice near the door threshold. Keep an eye on remote battery performance. Test the manual release so you know how to use it if the power goes out. - Every spring: Do a visual check of springs and cables for rust or wear. Look at the side weatherstripping for cracking. Wipe down metal panels with a mild detergent to remove road grime and moisture residue.
If anything looks off or you're not sure what you're looking at, contact us to schedule an inspection. Catching a worn seal or a corroding spring during a routine check is far less disruptive. and far less expensive. than dealing with a broken spring or a seized door on a rainy Tuesday morning.
Garage Door Curtis serves homeowners throughout Curtis, Centralia, Tenino, Bucoda, and the surrounding communities. We know this climate and what it does to garage doors out here. Visit our service areas page to see if we cover your location.
Q: How often should I lubricate my garage door in a wet climate like Curtis? A: In Lewis County's damp conditions, lubricating your springs, hinges, rollers, and tracks every three to four months is a good target. At minimum, do it every fall before temperatures drop and every spring after the heavy rains wind down. Use a silicone or white lithium grease spray. not WD-40, which can actually remove lubrication over time.
Q: My wood garage door is sticking and hard to close after wet weather. Is it ruined? A: Not necessarily. Swelling from moisture is common with wood doors in the Pacific Northwest, and if you catch it early, refinishing or resealing the door can stop the progression. If the door is severely warped or the panels are splitting, replacement may be more practical. A quick inspection will tell you which situation you're dealing with.
Q: Can rain damage my garage door opener? A: The opener itself is typically mounted inside the garage and is protected from direct rain, but cold and humid air still affects it. Lubricants thicken in the cold, forcing the motor to work harder. In very damp conditions, moisture can also affect sensor alignment and electronic components over time. Keeping the opener well-lubricated and ensuring your garage door seals properly is the best prevention.