Why My Garage Door Stopped Working in Cold Weather
When winter hits, you’re even more thankful for your garage than usual. No dealing with the elements for you—you can just get right in your car without even leaving your home.
Unfortunately, there is one wrinkle in this: Your garage door is less likely to work properly in the cold weather. If you want to find out why garage springs break in the cold and what to do about it, read on.
Issues with freezing
If the weather is getting icy and the temperatures outside are below freezing, it’s possible that the garage door could be frozen shut. If that’s the case, don’t continue to attempt to open the door, as it could lead to more damage. Check the door’s weatherstripping—the rubber part that’s at the bottom of the door and seals it when it’s closed. If this part is frozen, go inside the garage, and use a hammer to lightly tap at the bottom of the door, thereby breaking up the ice so that the door can be opened.
Metal in cold weather
Your garage door springs are made of metal, which will contract in the cold. Other metal components involved in the operation of the door will do the same and seize up. One quick fix is to add more silicone-based lubricant to the springs, rollers, hinges and any other moving part. Do this ahead of time to prevent garage door springs breaking.
Hardened grease
If you’ve ever left out cooking grease, you know that it’s going to harden in the cold. The same goes with the lubricant used to open the garage door. Using a small brush and grease solvent, get rid of any hardened grease that’s accumulated. Then apply a silicone-based lubricant to get the moving parts working properly again.
Remote sensor damage
Your garage door will have a remote sensor that’s used every time you open and close the door. It’s possible (though unlikely) that extreme cold temperatures could cause this sensor to crack.
Busted springs
One of the leading causes of garage door issues—whether it’s during the winter or any other time of year—is broken springs. These parts take on most of the burden of opening the garage door, and—like everything else—at some point, these springs will break down and reach the end of their life cycle. Repairing and replacing springs is best left to the professionals, as it’s a tricky and potentially dangerous job.
Invest in maintenance
Before the colder weather hits, call in the pros to inspect the door. They can evaluate where potential problems might lie. This will reduce repair and replacement costs in the long run. It’ll also save you the hassle of frantically calling around when your garage door won’t open.
Do you need help with your garage door? Denton Overhead Door & Garage Door Repair is here to help. We handle repairs, maintenance and installation for all types of garage doors. Contact us right now to learn more and ask for a free quote.
Categorised in: Garage Door Repair