Rated Why Your Garage Door Isn’t Working in Winter
Winter is a great time for snuggling up under a blanket with a good book or a cup of hot cocoa. Just as we may get sluggish fighting the urge to hibernate in the warmth, your garage door may also be slowed down by the cold. Winter increases the strain on your garage door, which also increases its risk of breaking down. A broken garage door can leave your home vulnerable to the elements, pests, or even intruders. Here are some of the reasons your garage door may not be working during the winter.
1. Contracting Metal
Cold weather forces metal to contract, which can add strain to the parts of your garage door that are made out of metal, such as the tracks. The door may then get stuck since the metal no longer gives the door room to move. Trying to force the door open or move on a track that is too tight for the door can crowd the track or cause damage to the door itself.
How Can I Avoid This Problem?
There is no way to stop the metal of your track from contracting, but you can avoid any further damage. Garage door repair specialists can adjust your tracks, giving your door a bit more room to work with in the winter.
Additionally, make sure your track is properly lubricated to allow the garage door to easily slide through the tracks instead of scraping against them. Silicone-based lubricants work the best.
2. Busted Springs
Springs are one of the most vulnerable parts of a garage door during the winter. As mentioned above, metal contracts in colder temperatures. This puts the metal under more strain, causing it to become more brittle and susceptible to breaking under pressure. If your garage door is older, your springs might not be able to withstand the strain, and they may eventually break and leave you stuck in your garage.
How Can I Protect My Springs?
Unfortunately, older springs are a bit harder to protect completely against cold weather. One way to protect your entire garage door, including the springs, is ensuring that your weatherstripping is healthy. Weatherstripping that is worn down can leave your garage susceptible to extremely cold temperatures and leave your springs susceptible to damage. A certified garage door technician can replace your weatherstripping to ensure that your garage door remains protected.
3. Frozen Door
Your garage door can freeze shut just like your car door does. This generally happens because the threshold is frozen and holding the garage door in place. Do not continuously try to open your garage door from your opener; doing so can strain your garage’s opener gears.
How Do I Unfreeze My Door?
This is generally an easy fix. Just as you warm up your car to unstick the door, you can warm the garage door threshold. Just get a pot of hot water and pour it over the frozen area. The ice should melt and your door should be good to go!
4. Remote Issues
It is important to check the batteries in your remote if your garage door is not working. Cold weather can result in moisture building up on the battery contacts, disrupting the flow of power.
How Can I Fix This Issue?
As with unfreezing your garage door, this is a really easy fix. Just clean the remote with a dry cloth to remove any moisture.
How Can I Best Prepare my Garage Door For Winter?
One of the biggest ways you can prepare your garage door for the harsh winter months is to invest in a preventative maintenance check. Your team of expert garage door repair specialists at Action Garage Door Repair Specialists can help! During this check, our garage door specialists will readjust your track as necessary and ensure that your garage door weatherstripping is in good shape. Contact us today for more information about our services and to schedule your maintenance check-up. Together, we can help your garage door beat the cold and keep your home protected all winter long!
