Garage Doors and Cold Weather: Common Issues and Quick Fixes
If there is any season that can put a damper on your home improvement projects, it is most definitely winter. Even if you live in a climate that rarely sees snowfall or accumulation, colder temperatures of any kind can spell trouble for your home and your garage.
Colder weather temperatures can cause our garages to behave in certain ways. Whether it is a problem with the garage door itself or one of its various parts, several things can go wrong with your garage as temperatures start to drop. Luckily, you can be prepared this upcoming winter to handle any garage door problems using the suggestions described below.
Cold Weather Problems
Before we go over preventative steps you can take to combat cold weather wear and tear on your garage, let’s discuss some of the most common weather-related problems that garage door owners experience.
- Contracting Metal
Thanks to physics, you can count on your garage door shrinking slightly when it is cold. When the temperature drops, metal and other materials are bound to contract. Because your garage is made mostly of metal, there is a good chance that contracting materials may be to blame for any issues you are experiencing. For example, you may have problems closing or opening your garage door because the materials are not fitting together properly because of the temperature.
During colder weather, you are more likely to experience breaking parts on your garage. The garage door springs are some of the first pieces that can start to wear down. Springs are particularly vulnerable to colder weather. Since they have to bend and remain flexible to lift and lower the garage door in a controlled manner, any kind of stiffening of the springs can cause them to break easily. If you notice that a garage door spring does break on your garage or appears faulty, it is important to consult an expert as soon as possible.
- Misaligned Tracks
Just as with garage door springs, your garage door tracks are also more likely to cause problems in the winter. Garage door tracks may warp or misalign due to weather conditions. Sometimes, you may be able to reposition the tracks yourself if you notice they have become skewed. With some care and a rubber mallet, you may be able to gently manipulate the track back into place. However, to prevent any further damage, you may want to consult an expert to fix the bent tracks for you.
- Hardened Grease or Not Enough Grease
Another problem you may experience in the winter is with hardened grease. If temperatures are low enough, the grease you use to help maintain your garage door parts may harden or freeze over. You may need to heat up your garage somehow in order to loosen it.
Alternatively, if there is not enough grease on your garage door parts during the winter, you may experience issues closing or opening your garage door. Do not forget to properly grease your garage door, especially during cold weather.
Maintenance, Prevention, and Repair
To ultimately prevent cold weather damage to your garage, there are a few things you can do. Preparing ahead of time for mishaps and repairs is always preferable. See if you can implement some of these maintenance procedures into your daily routines.
- Warm-Up Your Garage
During the wintertime, you may want to warm-up your garage before you leave for work in the morning to prevent any weather-related problems. Especially as temperatures start to decrease rapidly or suddenly, having a space heater of some kind can be a real lifesaver. Certain space heaters can be purchased that are safe for small, enclosed spaces like your garage.
- Use Lubricant on the Springs, Tracks, and Rollers
Lubrication should be applied to certain components of your garage. With the proper lubrication, you can count on your garage being able to withstand cold weather wear and tear much easier. You do not have to wait until it gets colder to start applying lubrication. In fact, you should make it a priority to apply lubrication to your garage door parts periodically if you want to ensure the longevity and durability of your garage.
- Consult with a Garage Door Specialist
If you have taken the steps to both prevent and alleviate any garage door issues but find that you are still having problems, it is time to work with an expert. Especially when it comes to specific repairs or replacements on your garage, such as a spring repair, it is critical that you work with a professional in your area.
Most garage door replacements and repairs need to be done by a professional. Garage doors tend to not only be difficult to fix, but dangerous as well. This is especially true if you have no prior experience working with garage doors or their various parts. Instead of attempting to make a difficult repair yourself, it is better for everyone’s safety to call in an expert. Homeowners that attempt to make unskilled or amateurish repairs may end up hurting themselves or someone else if the garage door were to suddenly collapse or break further.
Looking for a Trusted Expert in Your Area?
Cold weather temperatures do not have to get you down. If you are in the Sandy Springs, Georgia area and need a garage door specialist to help with your garage door troubles this winter, contact Turner Sandy Springs Garage Door, LLC. For Sandy Springs residents, we have always been the top choice when it comes to diagnosing and repairing garage door problems of all kinds, including those that most often present themselves during colder weather. Let us help you keep your garage door in top shape this season with a consultation from one of our experts. We can help identify potential problems before they arise, as well as offer prompt and affordable solutions for issues you may already be facing. Call Turner Sandy Springs Garage Door, LLC today!