Garage Door and Winter Weather
Winter weather is right around the corner, and you know that that means: Cold Weather! Your garage door needs to be adequately prepared for this season; it could lead to severe problems. For Example, if your garage door doesn’t have the proper lubrication or has a broken spring, it can freeze your door in place. And what about power outages? If your home loses power during a storm or other emergency, there’s nothing worse than being unable to get into your home because of an unresponsive garage door opener! So if you want to keep safe and warm this winter, then listen up as I teach you how to prepare for all of these potential scenarios below:
Cold Weather Affects Your Garage Door
Cold weather can also harm your garage door. Colder temperatures make the garage door more brittle and prone to breaking or cracking. They also make it more susceptible to rusting, which can lead to severe structural damage in the future.
Additionally, cold weather causes water inside your garage door to freeze and expand, creating stress fractures that are difficult for homeowners to identify without proper inspection.
Extreme Temperatures Affect your Garage Door’s Moving Parts.
The moving parts of your garage door can be affected by extreme temperatures. Your garage door needs to be sealed correctly, lubricated, and adequately balanced, or it can get stuck.
Snow!
- Keep snow cleared away from your garage door.
- If you don’t have a garage door, keep the snow away from your home.
- Don’t put a tent over your garage door.
- Lastly, don’t build a snowman near your garage door!
Clean Off the Top of the Garage Door and the opener!
As snow and ice build on top of your garage door, it can cause the door to freeze shut. Take a broom and clean any excess snow and ice from the top of your garage door and overhand above it. If there is still an accumulation of snow or ice in these areas, you’ll need to take extra precautions.
- Move items stored in your garage out of harm’s way so they don’t get damaged by falling debris during this process.
- If you see any icicles hanging from the edge of your garage roof or overhand, use caution when removing them. They may be heavy enough to crush objects below if they fall while being removed.
- Wear protective eyewear when attempting such a project; icicles are sharp!
Make sure your remote is working correctly before it gets icy!
Make sure your remote is working correctly before it gets freezing. It’s a safety feature, so if you don’t have a remote and the door gets stuck shut, you could be trapped in your vehicle. The remote can also let you open the doorway inside your car or home, which is convenient when carrying groceries or other items. This also helps people with disabilities who may need assistance accessing their homes but don’t always have someone around to help them get through doors.
Install weather stripping on the bottom of your garage door –
If you live in a colder climate and your garage door is attached to your home, install weather stripping to the bottom of your garage door. Weatherstripping is a strip of rubber or plastic placed on the bottom of an entry to prevent cold air from entering through small gaps between the wall and the door. It creates an air-tight seal around the edges where they meet, which helps keep warm air inside while preventing cold air from getting in. You’ll find weather stripping in most hardware stores and home improvement centers–often near other door products–and it’s relatively easy to install yourself.
Don’t Let your Garage Door Leave you out in the COLD in this Winter Weather!
Are you worried about the weather affecting your garage door? Don’t be! They are designed to withstand harsh conditions, but there are a few things you can do to keep them running smoothly throughout the year.
- Have an emergency kit with the tools necessary for fixing broken parts such as springs and cables. You may also want a few extra light bulbs or fuses just in case they go out during an emergency.
- Clean off the snow from around all moving parts of your garage door, or have someone remove it if necessary. You don’t want moisture trapped under there! Be sure not to use abrasive materials when scraping ice or snow off because this could cause damage to those surfaces over time. A broom works well too!
In Conclusion for Winter Weather and Garage Door
If you want to keep your garage door and its parts functioning correctly, ensure they’re well-maintained. This means maintaining snow cleared away, cleaning off any ice, and ensuring your remote controls are all in good working condition before winter. You can trust our professional experts at Straight up Garage Doors with any other questions you have!
