It is quite easy to overlook the use of your garage door during summer until things get worse in winter. The cold months in New Jersey bring a combination of coastal breezes and freezing sleet throughout the state. A properly serviced garage door can be your first defense against bad weather.
When in bad shape, it can cause safety hazards, wasted energy and frustrating breakdowns. This article gives some simple and effective tips to get your garage door ready for a tough Jersey winter.
Start with a Simple Visual Checkup
Take a few minutes, prior to the first hard freeze, to just sit and watch how your door functions. Keep the door in view, push your opener button, and watch it rise and fall. Check whether it rises or falls smoothly. It could need fixing if it struggles at certain points, or you hear some noise associated with grinding or popping.
Garage Door Maintenance And Repair.
After this, you need to examine the hardware closely. This is quite important because the in-and-out movement of a garage door opening and closing can loosen over time. To ensure everything runs smoothly, examine the bolts and brackets holding the track to the walls and ceiling. Loosen using a socket wrench and examine them to make certain they are still tight and snug. Taking this step will go a long way in preventing misalignments and premature wear.
The Importance of Lubrication
Metal-on-metal parts in the winter months need to be heavily lubricated to function without increased tension. Instead of employing other products, buy a silicone-based or lithium-based spray lubricant that is designed especially for garage entrances. Aim for the hinges, rollers, lock and track during application. A perfectly oiled door is simpler to open, reducing stress on your motor and even saving on electricity bills.
Gap Sealing
A gap under your garage door is like leaving a window open all winter. It lets in snow, cold air and drafts that chill your garage and even lower the temperature of any rooms that share a border with it. Inspect the bottom rubber gasket and look for gaps, brittleness or cracks. If broken, it is a very easy and inexpensive do-it-yourself repair that provides energy cost savings.
Cold air or moisture can get in if the seal is broken or missing. To avoid this, consider a seal replacement. It will go a long way in helping your home stay more efficient and comfortable.
Check the Door Balance
A garage entrance that is out of balance is in tension all the time. This stress worsens in winter when metal contracts and some sections become even stiffer.
You can check this balance by yourself. To start, tug on the red emergency release rope to disengage the opener, usually a handle that is suspended from a string on the opener rail. Secondly, manually lift the door halfway and let go. If your door stays in place, then it’s well-balanced. However, if it quickly drops, the springs aren’t supporting it effectively.
In case of such a situation, consider reaching out to the experts. The main reason behind this is that springs are usually in extremely high tension and can be extremely hazardous to adjust without training and equipment.
You need to have this problem fixed as soon as possible. The main reason behind this is that an unbalanced door will cause your opener to wear out sooner and is a safety hazard.
Keep It Clear and Operate with Care
Make it a habit to shovel snow and ice from the front of the base of your garage door. Piles of wet, heavy snow may be in the way, causing the safety reversal system to activate or, at worst, placing colossal pressure on the opener to try to force through it. Also, don’t forget to clear any snow or ice off the roof of your car when driving into the garage. A chunk of icy snow dislodging from your roof can dent your garage door, destroying the panels.
Your garage door serves a very important role, especially during winter. However, there are various things you need to do to ensure it functions perfectly. Most of these steps you can take yourself. However, some issues require a professional hand. You can call in professionals if you notice a crazily out-of-balance door, worn or broken cables, broken spring, or some serious issue with the opener itself.
For the best possible results, entrust the right experts. At APR Garage Doors NJ, we know the major problems New Jersey weather poses to garage entrances. Our team can provide a full safety inspection, tackle tough repairs, and have your door ready to handle whatever winter throws at you. A little preventive maintenance will save you from costly and inconvenient breakdowns.
