Your garage door is perhaps the bulkiest object in your home, and it requires some attention to ensure optimal performance.
If you operate your garage door even three times a day, that’s already more than 1,000 cycles per year. As such, garage door maintenance is important, especially during winter due to the harsh elements. Is your garage door ready for winter?
Why Winter Garage Door Maintenance Matters
The winter season can damage garage doors that are not prepared to withstand the rough conditions. For residents of the greater Spokane area, winters are cold and snowy, and adequate home preparation is necessary. Common garage door concerns include operational failures caused by frozen components and increased wear due to fluctuating temperatures.
Keeping up with winter garage door maintenance protects your garage door and can:
- Increase the garage door life span: Taking care of your garage door in winter prepares it for harsh conditions and lowers the risk of damage. These maintenance practices can slow down wear and tear, increasing your garage door’s service life.
- Reduce maintenance costs: An unexpected breakdown in winter could lead to costly repairs. Preventive maintenance allows you to catch minor issues and resolve them before harsh weather makes things worse.
- Improve energy efficiency: Your garage door could increase your energy bills in winter by letting in freezing air. Winter maintenance can help make the door more energy-efficient by ensuring proper insulation. Besides cost savings, an energy-efficient garage door adds to your home’s warmth and comfort in winter.
It’s best to winterize your garage door before the winter season, but you can still complete these activities during the cold season.
5 Garage Door Maintenance Tips
Winterizing your garage door involves a few steps that will help keep your home warm and safe when the season kicks in. Here is your garage door winter maintenance checklist.
1. Inspect and Lubricate Moving Parts
Inspection is an important garage door preventive maintenance practice that doesn’t require professional expertise. Examine the door, its moving parts and how it operates to ensure everything is in order. Call a garage door technician if you notice signs of damage or severe wear and tear.
If you have not flagged any issues, proceed with lubrication. You want to lubricate moving parts like hinges, rollers and springs because freezing temperatures can stiffen them, making it challenging to operate the door. To avoid touching parts like springs, use a silicone-based spray lubricant you apply from a distance.
2. Test and Replace Weather Stripping
Is your weather stripping in good condition? You can test it by closing the door. If you notice light penetrating the space where the bottom of the door comes in contact with the floor, your weather stripping likely needs replacing. This rubber material lines the bottom of the door, prevents damage to the door and floor, and keeps debris and the elements from entering your garage.
3. Check Garage Door Balance and Springs
Balance is crucial to the proper function and longevity of your garage door. Unbalanced springs could strain vital components, which may result in damage and make operating the door dangerous. Heavy precipitation and winter winds could accelerate damage to an unbalanced garage door.
Garage door springs hold the weight of your door. When they are balanced, they keep the door from going back up when it’s down or dropping when it’s up. Here’s how to check garage door balance:
- Close the garage door.
- Disengage your garage door opener for manual operation.
- Open and close the door manually.
- Lift the door halfway, let go and confirm that it stays in position — if it doesn’t, it is off-balance.
4. Keep Tracks and Photo Eyes Clear
Over time, debris can collect in garage door tracks. Clogged tracks impair the operation and strain the opener. Cleaning the tracks allows the door to operate smoothly, protecting your garage door opener and extending its life span.
Clean the tracks with a brush, vacuum cleaner or cloth. You should also clean the photo eyes to ensure they function properly.
5. Insulate Your Garage Door
An insulated garage door prevents the valuable heat in your home from escaping and keeps cold air outside. Call professionals to upgrade you to the latest insulated garage door, or you can take steps to improve the insulation in your existing door. To ensure proper insulation for winter, you may want to bring in garage door experts.
Additional Tips for Winter-Proofing Your Garage Door
Winter-proofing your garage door is necessary to ensure an incident-free season. Here are tips to ensure adequate winter-proofing:
- Inspect your garage door regularly: Winter can be long, so it may still take a toll on your garage door even after you follow the checklist. You can inspect your garage door consistently to keep things in good condition and avoid surprises. It’s the best way to spot a developing problem.
- Schedule professional service: It’s also advisable to schedule prewinter professional service if your garage door shows signs of weakness. Some companies also offer emergency garage door services for sudden issues.
- Get the right tools and products: You’ll likely need a spray lubricant and a brush or cloth to wipe down the tracks. We don’t recommend undertaking garage door repairs yourself if you lack professional expertise because garage doors are heavy devices with a high potential for serious injuries. They also comprise diverse components that require expert care to prevent accidental damage.
When to Call a Professional
General maintenance is likely insufficient if your garage door is not in good condition. Professional garage door services become necessary when repairs are needed. Professionals ensure thorough servicing, save time and prevent further complications that could increase maintenance costs.
Contact garage door repair professionals if you notice any of the following:
- Noticeable wear and tear: If you see visible wear and tear, winter may exacerbate the issue, accelerating wear and tear and reducing service life.
- Persistent issues: If you experience persistent operational issues despite regular garage door maintenance, it’s time to bring in experts.
- Visible damage: Aside from worn parts, visible damage is a serious issue that requires professional attention, especially if it involves key components like springs, panels or cables.
Winterize Your Garage Door With Continental Door
Implementing winter garage door maintenance tips, such as inspecting, insulating and lubricating the door, is the best way to prepare your garage door for the cold months. These preventive maintenance strategies reinforce your door and slow wear and tear. However, if you notice glaring issues, reach out to professionals.
If you live in the greater Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas, Continental Door is your local, reliable garage door company offering quality solutions. With professional maintenance, you can avoid weather-related issues in winter. Schedule a tuneup today to ensure your garage door is winter-ready!
