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Cold Weather Garage Door Hacks

A wooden red garage standing in the heavy snow

If your garage door could talk, you’d probably hear from it in winter. The harsh cold and freezing snow create a number of issues that can make life difficult for it. When it has a hard time, chances are you’ll have one, too. However, just because this time of year is rough on your door doesn’t mean you have to suffer through malfunctions and repairs. By keeping a few helpful hints in mind, you will stand a much better chance of getting through the season without complaint.

Here are some important pointers to consider as you prepare for the temperature to drop.

COLD WEATHER GARAGE DOOR PROBLEMS

When it gets colder outside, your garage door is the first line of defense against the conditions. That means it bears the brunt of the cold, which can lead to increased risk of something going wrong.

Here are common problems you may experience:

  • Freezing to the ground. A buildup of ice and snow along the bottom can lead to the garage door being frozen to the ground. This can make it difficult if not impossible for your opener to do its job. Even if it can open, the added strain can lead to wear and tear on your hardware and the mechanism.
  • Not opening or closing all the way. Your automatic opener is designed to stop whenever it meets with resistance as a safety measure. Frigid temperatures cause metal tracks to contract somewhat, which can restrict movement. Even a slight change in your hardware can be enough to prevent it from moving up or down.
  • Getting stuck. The grease and lubricants on it can get thicker as the mercury falls. This can seriously affect how easily it opens and closes. When this happens, the excessively jerky movements can put too much pressure on the tracks and bolts, causing them to be bent out of shape or come loose.

SOME SOLUTIONS TO THESE ISSUES

If you suspect your door has fallen victim to any of these conditions, here are some solutions you can try to remedy the situation:

  • Heat your garage. This option makes more sense if you regularly use your garage for a workspace. It’s easy to install an electric heater. The permeating warmth should prevent your garage door from freezing to the ground.
  • Try opening the garage door manually. Some issues may be the result of a malfunctioning opener. To diagnose the problem, try opening it manually. If it moves up and down easily, the issue lies with the mechanism. If not, check the hardware for signs of dents, coagulated grease or broken rollers.
  • Try opening the garage door manually. Some issues may be the result of a malfunctioning opener. To diagnose the problem, try opening it manually. If it moves up and down easily, the issue lies with the mechanism. If not, check the hardware for signs of dents, coagulated grease or broken rollers.
  • Lubricate everything. You may need to apply more lubricants in winter to keep everything moving smoothly. Use a solvent beforehand to clean any dirt or buildup that may be affecting performance. Make sure to lubricate the springs and pulleys as well as the tracks and rollers.
  • Watch for technological advances. A self-regulating, heated aluminium threshold could find its way to the market in the not-too-distant future. It would prevent a rubber garage door seal from freezing to the floor.

The cold is tough on your garage door, but with a little preparation, you could keep it in good shape no matter how cold it gets. Follow these tips from Garadry, and you can survive winter without incident.

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