Your garage door’s system is no different from any other machine out there.
Just like any other thing with moving parts, temperature fluctuations can have a huge effect on how it operates.
Freezing temperatures, especially can have a significant effect on the garage door.
The chilly winter months can cause the opener to strain when you want to open.
Such an occurrence has the potential to make the opener break and could result in you having to spend more on energy costs.
Worst case scenario is it fails to open and your car has to spend a couple of days in the cold.
Is Your Garage Door Squeaking When Opening?
The only way to prevent such issues from happening is to do proper maintenance even during winter. This article gives information on how to go about exactly that.
How Does Winter Affect Your Garage Door?
Metal Contractions Caused by Freezing Temperatures
The freezing conditions that come with winter have the potential to make key components such as tracks, springs, and hinges contract.
When this happens, the parts become more prone to breakage. Another thing that may happen as a result of this is the metal springs to snap due to extra tension that comes from the cold.
These challenges could result in expensive repairs that you definitely don’t want to incur.
Sensor Issues
Excess cold has the ability to make the sensors get fogged. In such a case, they are not able to communicate with each other, which could make the door think there is an obstruction and the opener will not work as required.
In case you realize it is not opening and you have no idea why, this could be the actual reason that you should troubleshoot.
Lucky for you, the only thing you need to do to fix this issue is clean off the lenses.
Warping
New Jersey experiences temperature fluctuations quite often, which might cause materials like vinyl and wood to expand and contract.
This expansion and contraction may lead to warping, misalignment, and even difficult times when you try to open or close the door. Misalignments could also put extra pressure on the motors and tracks, causing major breakdowns.
Cold Weather Maintenance Tips
Lubricate Moving Parts
If the moving parts are not well lubricated, the opener will have to work ten times harder to get the door opened.
To prevent this from happening and ensure it opens smoothly, it makes sense to lubricate the moving parts on a regular basis.
Doing this is crucial because it will make it easier for you to open and close especially during the freezing months of the year, a time that you don’t want to spend too much time outdoors.
Even as you do the lubrication, be sure to get the best lubricant for your type of door. The reasoning behind this is that you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a lubricant that won’t even give you the results you desire.
Check and Replace Weather Stripping
Inspect the weather stripping at the bottom of the door and check to see whether you will see any cracks, brittleness, or signs of wear and tear.
If you happen to notice any shortcomings, it makes sense to replace the weather stripping altogether. By doing this, the door will have a tight seal that will prevent chilly air and moisture from getting into the garage. It also comes in handy in preventing ice from forming around the base.
Insulate the Door
Insulation is key when you want to regulate temperature fluctuations and minimize potential risks of warping and freezing.
If the door is not well insulated, consider adding insulation panels or using an insulation kit meant for garage doors.
The worst possible time a garage door to fail on you is during winter. The chilly weather outside is usually unforgiving and struggling to open, close, or get it in position in this climate can be quite frustrating.
To prevent such issues from happening consider implementing the aforementioned maintenance tips to ensure smooth operation throughout the year.
However, you may also benefit from calling in the experts and letting them do inspections and maintenance on your behalf. This is a great idea because experts have what it takes to help extend its lifespan and ensure it is operating optimally at all times.
As you look for experts, be sure to go for qualified professionals who have a proven track record. This is the only way that you are sure of getting a great service.
