Cold winter weather can bring numerous issues to your home. One of the most annoying for many homeowners is how it can affect the functioning of their garage doors. Understanding what the most common issues are and how to avoid them will help to properly prepare you to stay far away from door issues this upcoming winter season.
Worn and Broken Springs
The door springs are responsible for acting as a counterweight to help reduce the weight of your door as it moves in its track setup. If a door spring is severely worn or broken, it can prevent your door from properly opening. You never want to try and open a door with broken or severely worn springs as it can be extremely heavy and potentially dangerous.
It’s best to leave the opening and fixing to the Overhead Door Company of Houston, as they have licensed and well-trained professionals who can do it safely. Getting your door inspected on an annual basis will allow the detection of any worn springs before they get bad enough to prevent your door from opening.
Contracting Metal
When the weather gets cold, the metal on your garage door will start to contract. This can cause bending in its components. One of the most sensitive is your door track. If you notice that your door won’t follow it or it gets stuck, then your track will need to be fixed by a garage door professional.
Ice Between Panels
If you have a paneled garage door, it’s susceptible to icing. As moisture makes its way between the panels, it will result in a frozen garage door. When this happens, it will cause the panels to lock up. You can easily work to unfreeze your door panels by applying heat to the ice in between them. A hair dryer or space heater is always a great option. Once the ice melts, the panels will be able to move freely, and your door will open right up.
Inadequate Lubricant
Garage door lubricants that contain petroleum or silicone are more prone to freezing during the cold winter months. It’s best to opt for using lubricants that are free of these materials. You’ll want to apply a fresh amount of lubricant prior to the winter season to help ensure that your door components are properly moving. A lack of adequate lubrication can lead to unbalanced door opening and jerking movements, which can lead to costlier repair issues.
Dead Batteries
One really annoying issue that many homeowners face during the winter months with their garage doors is dead batteries. The temperature fluctuations throughout the winter season can drastically shorten the lifespan of any battery. It’s best to keep fresh batteries on hand for both your door openers and the exterior keypad. This will go a long way in preventing yourself from being locked out of your home during frigid temperatures.
Frozen to the Ground
Depending on the water drainage setup that you have installed at your home, you may experience excess water pooling where your garage door shuts. If left during the winter months, this water can easily freeze. If left long enough, the bottom of your garage door can actually freeze to the ground. You’ll have to work to unfreeze the water with a space heater or similar heat source. By creating better drainage around your garage, you can prevent water damage from your doors and any items you have inside of your garage.
Water Damaged Door
Not all door materials are made for all different types of climates. Wooden garage doors tend to be a bad option for homes in frigid environments. During the colder months, the wood will expand as it takes in moisture. The door frame will easily start to swell up and create excess friction between the frame and the door. This can lead to premature wear of your motor components and damage to the door itself.
Preventing Wintertime Door Damage
First and foremost, one of the best ways to help reduce your risk of experiencing a door issue during the winter months is to have a professional inspection done each year. This will help to locate any failing components so that they can be replaced before a problem occurs.
Next, lubrication is a necessity, especially during the frigid months. Make sure that you use the proper lubricant and prep your door for the colder weather. While doing so, take note of any water pooling around your garage door. You’ll want to put a drainage system in place now before the water freezes in the cold weather.
