Even a mild winter can cause some unexpected problems with your garage door, and an especially cold one can be worse. If you didn’t have your garage door professional inspect and tune up your garage door, take a minute to look it over as well as your door opening system for any potential surprises.
The damp and chill that comes with winter has likely already settled into your garage door parts, causing springs to become brittle, lubricant to become thick and weatherstripping to crack. A broken spring, a cracked roller, or rust in the tracks can result in a garage door emergency. Rain and snow can cause the door to freeze to the ground and lead to a burned out motor.
Take the following steps to avoid damage to your garage door and get you and your family through this winter.
- Clear the tracks of dirt and debris and check rollers and springs for cracks. DO NOT ATTEMPT REPAIRS. Call a professional if you believe springs or rollers need to be replaced.
- Check hinges and cables for rust and corrosion.
- Listen carefully while your garage door opens and closes. Strange noises could indicate a potential problem that your garage door professional can head off before it becomes an emergency.
- Use a silicone-based lubricant to treat all metal parts. Applied three to four times a year, a quality silicone spray will keep metal parts free of rust and running smoothly.
- Check weatherstripping and insulation on your garage door. Replacing these worn parts is a simple way to protect everything inside your garage from cold winter weather.
- Keep the area in front of and beneath your garage door free of ice and snow to avoid the damage that can result when your door freezes to the ground.
- It’s not too late to arrange a garage door inspection and tune-up. Your garage door professional can ensure your garage door and door opening system are running efficiently and safely and advise you on repairs or replacement.
When you schedule an Above & Beyond garage door inspection, our experts will check the springs, rollers and cables for wear, clean out the grit and grime, and lubricate moving parts. We’ll also confirm your door is balanced and the auto-reverse is working properly.
Are you wondering if you might benefit from a new garage door or opening system? Ask our team about insulated garage doors, smart garage door opening systems, and how your family can benefit from the convenience and security of the latest garage door technology.