You know that stiff, dry feeling your skin gets in wintertime? Well, cold weather doesn’t just affect you–it affects organic and synthetic materials in similar ways. For example, cold weather can cause metal to contract and stiffen. So, while you’re applying a little extra hand lotion this season, be sure to give your home some much-needed TLC as well. Make sure your garage door is ready to brave harsh temperatures by following these 5 tips to winter-proof your garage.
Use a Lubricant and Grease Solvent
The tracks and pulley system of your garage door need lubricant to reduce friction and wear and tear as the temperature cools down. The grease used to lubricate the system is made to remain slick in high temperatures. In the winter, however, the grease hardens. To prevent this, maintain your garage door parts with a silicone-based lubricant.
If the grease used has already hardened due to the cold weather, you may notice that your door opens a bit slower. After testing and ruling out opener problems, you can use a grease solvent in conjunction with the lubricant for your garage door to get everything moving smoothly again.
Prep Your Weather Seal
On particularly cold days, your garage door can freeze to the concrete below it. This can damage your garage door opener if you attempt to open it while it is frozen. To save yourself potentially hundreds of dollars in repairs, prep the area where your garage door meets the concrete properly.
Weather seals are made to keep out harsh weather, animals, and pests while also ensuring your garage door does not freeze. To get the best out of it for winter, use a lubricant spray that specifically prevents freezing. These sprays drop the freezing point of water and are usually a better option than salt. (Although salt can work, it is more likely to damage your concrete floor or cause pitting.)
Be sure to promptly clean up or push away any water or snow that collects around the panels and bottom of your garage door.
Check Your Tracks and Springs
Garage door tracks and springs are made to last about 8 years. With cold temperatures on the horizon, it’s a good practice to check for any damage, warping, or cracks. Use your eyes and ears to identify things that may be out of the ordinary. Check out our guide to garage door springs to discover what to look and listen for.
If you discover any issues with your garage door tracks and springs, call a professional immediately to avoid any preventable damage or accidents involving your garage door.
Prepare Your Water Heater and Pipes
Modern water heaters aren’t the big tanks they used to be. Nowadays, they’re more energy-efficient and heat water more quickly. If you’ve got an old tank, you might be losing money this winter. To prevent this, consider insulated blankets specifically designed for water heaters. Going this route can reduce energy loss and save you money.
To prevent freezing, cover any exposed water pipes in your garage with proper materials. Frozen pipes are more liable to burst, which could lead to flooding, mold, or other issues. Avoid costly repairs and headaches by inspecting the pipes in your garage and ensuring they are properly insulated.
Winter Cleaning
You’ve heard of “spring” cleaning, but why should cleaning sprees only be reserved for springtime? With winter comes holiday celebrations, events at home, and taking decorations or furniture out of storage. Before the weather is at its coldest, set aside time to organize your garage and get rid of things you no longer want or use while making way for the items you want to have access to during the holidays.
Not only will this activity save you stress as you navigate through your freshly-decluttered garage, but it provides an opportunity to share items you no longer need with those who do. Plenty of families appreciate gently-used items around the holidays so furniture, clothing, or other items taking up space in your garage are sure to find a great home.
Take a Winter Shortcut
With holiday get-togethers, looming shopping lists, and general winter commotion, winter-proofing your garage can easily slip your mind. We get it. That’s why, at American Garage Door, we take care of your garage door maintenance problems so you can get back to the things you care about most.
Check out our 10-point preventative maintenance check to learn how we can take the work off of your plate.
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