If you’ve ever experienced a garage door that won’t close when it’s cold, or one that works sluggishly when temperatures drop, you know how frustrating it can be. In winter, garage door maintenance is especially crucial to keep your garage functioning properly. Explore some of the common ways winter weather can impact your garage door’s performance and helpful tips for keeping it in peak working condition all year long.
Common Garage Door Problems During Winter
When cold weather rolls in, you may experience common garage door issues like:
- Broken springs: Cold weather causes springs to become tighter and metal to become more brittle, which can lead to snapping and breaking.
- Misaligned tracks: Over time, garage door tracks can become misaligned. In winter, these metal tracks can contract, exacerbating the problem.
- Obstructed sensors: If you live in an area with frequent snow and ice, these elements can obstruct garage door sensors, preventing the door from operating correctly.
- Frozen garage doors: When snow, ice and other forms of water build up at the garage door’s base, it can freeze the door shut and prevent it from opening.
- Damaged weather stripping: Although this is not a stand-alone problem, it allows cold and moisture to access the garage door, which can create other issues.
- Malfunctioning door openers: Whether your garage door opener is working sluggishly or not at all, it can be due to sensor issues or frozen door components.
How to Maintain Your Garage Door in the Winter
Maintenance is crucial to ensuring your garage door operates optimally throughout the colder months. Keep your garage door running smoothly this winter by applying these top tips:
1. Lubricate the Moving Parts
Before winter strikes, lubricate any moving parts to prevent them from stiffening and drying in the drier winter air. Some parts to lubricate include:
- Springs.
- Hinges.
- Rollers.
Keep in mind that, unlike the summer months, grease may become cold and thicken, which can make components sluggish or prevent them from functioning properly. It’s best to lubricate moving parts as needed.
2. Inspect and Align the Tracks
Both before and during the cold season, check for debris buildup regularly. From windblown debris to snowmelt, winter is a prime time for debris and grime to accumulate.
Clean the tracks thoroughly using a vacuum or blower, and use a level to ensure they are properly aligned. Taking these steps regularly will ensure your door remains in good working condition and functions properly throughout the season.
3. Check the Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is a crucial component that keeps your garage warm and ensures the door remains functional. Over time, it can degrade, get damaged or fall off entirely. Before the cold comes in, ensure you check the weather stripping and replace it if necessary. This step is crucial to keep your door and garage door functioning smoothly.
4. Clear Snow and Ice
As winter progresses, you may experience both snow and ice. Clearing them regularly is an essential part of maintaining your garage door. If you allow it to build up in front of or around your door, it can freeze the door in place, block sensors and cause several other challenges.
Shovel snow regularly, keep your driveway and the space around your garage clear, and use a deicing agent if necessary.
The Importance of Garage Door Insulation for Cold Weather
While it may not be something you consider part of garage door maintenance, insulation plays a significant role here. Ensuring you have an insulated garage door offers diverse benefits, including:
- Reduced energy bills: An insulated garage door helps equalize temperatures, which in turn lowers energy bills.
- Quieter environment: While insulation is essential for keeping your garage door warm, it also absorbs some noise, which can help make your garage a quieter space.
- Increased comfort: An insulated garage door creates a thermal barrier, which prevents heat from escaping in the winter and entering in the summer, leading to increased indoor comfort year-round.
- Better durability: Insulated garage doors, especially those consisting of aluminum and other durable materials, are generally more resilient and have greater structural integrity.
- Protected environment: Whether you use your garage to keep your car safe or store belongings, an insulated garage door can help prevent your belongings from extreme temperature fluctuations.
4 Garage Door Insulation Strategies
While insulation is essential, there are various ways to accomplish it. Some of the preferred and most effective solutions include:
1. Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping, also known as weather sealing, is specifically designed to seal the area beneath and on the sides of your garage door. This installation is essential, whether the door itself is insulated or not, since it protects against drafts, cold infiltration and moisture. You can choose from various types of weatherstripping, depending on your specific needs.
By keeping out cold air and moisture, you can better regulate the temperature and create a more energy-efficient space. It can also help to prevent rodents and other pests from entering the space.
2. Sealing Open Spaces
While you may not expect them to make a big difference, even small gaps and spaces can allow considerable airflow, leading to vast temperature shifts.
Protect your garage door from the cold temperatures outside by caulking any gaps around windows and other fixtures. Also, try to find any gaps in the wall or other parts of the garage and fill them as well.
3. Upgrading to an Insulated Door
One of the most effective ways to upgrade your garage’s insulation and keep your garage door warm in the winter is to install an insulated garage door.
These unique garage doors have a tailor-made design and comprise fully insulated sealed units. As a result, they’re far more resilient and offer better weather protection compared to doors insulated after manufacturing.
By building the door around the insulation, manufacturers eliminate unnecessary air pockets, resulting in a sturdier product. Since these doors are available in diverse designs and styles, there’s an option that suits every home.
4. Heat the Garage
While it may not be something you’ve ever considered, heating the entire garage can be an efficient way to keep garage door mechanisms functioning well. It’s also a great way to make your garage more comfortable.
You don’t need to invest in an extensive heating system, either. A small gas or electric system, such as a space heater, is generally efficient in most cases.
Manage Winter Garage Door Maintenance With Liberty Door and Awning
Garage door maintenance is essential year-round — especially in winter. Liberty Door and Awning is your partner for garage door service in New Jersey. We can handle maintenance and repairs to ensure your door remains functional throughout the year. If you’re ready to upgrade your home’s garage door, choose from our selection of premium Clopay® garage doors, and our technicians will handle installation.
Schedule an estimate for your brand-new door, or schedule service online today.