Garage doors have a tough job during the winter. With freezing temperatures, strong winds and damaging precipitation, garage doors can take a beating all winter long. To help keep your residential or commercial garage doors in good condition and free from drafts, try these winter garage door tips for maintenance and troubleshooting.
Examine Moving Parts
The rollers, tracks and springs are especially susceptible to extreme cold. As you look over these moving parts, it is very important to be careful around the torsion springs and cables. You do not want to adjust the tension on the springs because the garage door could malfunction and physically hurt you. If you do have defective rollers or broken springs, be sure to contact a professional to repair these parts.
Inspect the Lubrication
With low winter temperatures, grease and oil tend to thicken and cause your garage door to run roughly. To help keep these parts clean, you can gently wipe any grease build-up off the rollers and tracks. In addition, it is helpful to apply a high-grade white lithium grease lubricant spray on the rollers, bearings, hinges and springs.
Check the Garage Door Insulation
To keep your garage door warm, you should check the garage door weather strips for proper sealing. When water freezes around the bottom of a closed garage door, the seal can rip or peel away when the door is opened. You may have an expensive heating bill or unwanted pests if the garage door strips are damaged. As much as possible, keep your garage door clear of ice and snow to prevent any damaged weather stripping.
Evaluate Garage Door Windows
If your garage doors have windows, you should also check the window seals for any peeling or cracks. Obviously, damaged window seals will need to be replaced, but the window’s frame and glass may need to be fixed as well.
Clean the Door’s Exterior
You may find debris or salty build-up on your garage door’s exterior during a severe winter. By cleaning off the outside of your garage door with a suitable cleaning product, you can prevent rust, or surface damage.
Test Remote Control Batteries
Cold weather also has an adverse effect on batteries. If your remote control garage door opener seems sluggish or spotty, be sure to replace the batteries right away so you are not left out in the cold.
These garage door tips are easy to perform but could help a lot in keeping your garage dry and in good condition this winter. If you need help with your residential and commercial garage doors in the St. Louis metro area, be sure to contact Martin Garage Door & Window for assistance.