A few simple and inexpensive steps can prevent your garage door from freezing during the next day of frigid temperatures. While the snow creates a beautiful blanket of white, the wind and ice that come with it can damage your garage entry system. Proper winterization of your garage can ensure that it serves you well when you need it the most. Overhead Door Company of Houston can help you resolve any garage door issues that cause trouble.
1. Starting with Clearing the Accumulation of Snow
A burdensome job that no one likes, the removal of any snow that accumulates in front of your garage door takes the highest priority. The best results come from clearing it every morning because ice tends to build up overnight. Even if you do not plan to use your car, the snow still needs clearing to prevent melting and refreezing. By keeping snow and ice out of the tracks and away from where the door rests, you can avoid conditions that can cause it to freeze shut.
2. Salting the Area Under the Door
Ordinary table salt has a less corrosive effect than some other salts, and it prevents ice from locking your door in place during the frigid days of winter. By sprinkling it liberally on the floor where the seal rests on the concrete, you make the snow melt faster and prevent refreezing. However, make sure that your driveway and garage floor have the protection of a quality sealant. It can help prevent dynamic stresses of freezing and thawing that can fracture the concrete.
3. Lubricating the Weather Seal
A silicone spray can help prevent ice from sticking to the rubber weatherstripping that lines the bottom of your door. Routinely keeping summer rain and winter snow out of your garage, the weather seal needs protection from the elements to perform efficiently. Regular use that pushes it firmly against a hard surface can require a replacement approximately every five years. A silicone lubricant requires a lower temperature for freezing, giving you reliable use of your door in winter. Regularly lubricated weather stripping can assist your efforts to prevent it from sticking to ice. You may use cooking spray or vegetable oil if you do not have silicone spray on hand.
4. Adding Insulation to Your Garage to Prevent Your Door From Freezing
A little more work than other preventive measures require, the addition of insulation to your garage walls and door can provide desirable benefits. It provides a comfortable environment for DIY projects or working out, In addition, it helps prevent conditions that freeze your door shut. The warmer interior temperature keeps your door warmer too. You can prevent stress on your garage door opener by not asking it to lift a door stuck to the ice. You can count on Overhead Door Company of Houston to provide a new door that suits the Texas climate and meets your needs.
5. Providing Gas or Electric Heat
A strategy that improves your enjoyment brings warmth to the garage and lowers the chance of frozen doors involves installing a heater. Space heaters come in gas-powered or electric models. Electric heaters cost more than gas to purchase, but they allow a simpler installation. Gas heaters require professional installation for a supply line and an exhaust vent. Both can provide the warmth that lets you use your garage in the winter while preventing the stress and frustration of a frozen door. As with any heating device, maintain caution when you use a space heater.
6. Warming Up on the Driveway
The temporary convenience of remotely starting your car inside the garage in the morning may cause annoying difficulties later. The heat it creates can melt the snow and ice lying outside the door. When the moisture refreezes, it can make your door adhere to the ice. Your garage door opener cannot break the ice, and potential damage to the motor may occur if you force it.
Finding Prompt Assistance to Prevent Your Door From Freezing
At Overhead Door Company of Houston, we understand the frustration and stress of dealing with a frozen garage door. If your door does not work correctly after it freezes, our team of experts can provide quick and efficient service to correct any issue. Call us at (713) 667-1757 to schedule an appointment or request a free estimate. We can help you protect your garage door from winter’s effects.
