The cold weather is coming, and that means it’s time to start preparing your garage door for winter. If you want to make sure your garage door is ready for the harsh conditions, love your garage door this season and follow these three tips:
1. Check the weather seal to make sure it’s in good condition and properly seals the garage door.
Weather seals are an important part of keeping out drafts and moisture. Garage Doors will have a vinyl weather seal on the top and sides of the garage door. This provides an air barrier where the edges of the garage door meet the door jambs. There is also a bottom rubber gasket along the bottom of the door as well.
Visually inspect that the weather seals are making good contact with the door and sealing properly. Also, check they are not cracked, torn, or broken leaving gaps for the cold air to enter the garage. If you find any damage, replace the weather seal to ensure an airtight fit.
2. Check the water drainage outside the garage door.
It is important to make sure the drainage slopes away from your garage door and that there are no obstructions preventing the water from draining. If water can pool around your garage door, you may end up with problems such as freezing which could damage the door or cause it to malfunction.
If you’ve seen water coming under the door in the warmer months then there is a good chance during the winter you may encounter the door sticking to the ground when it freezes after rain or melting of the snow during the day.
If the opener is struggling to get the door started on a cold morning then put the door in manual by pulling the red release chord and breaking the door free from the frozen ground by hand. Then re-engage the garage door opener to operate normally.
3. Winter service to check for any issues that could leave you out in the cold.
As the weather turns colder and you continue to use your garage door, it is important to have a professional inspect it for any malfunction that may occur. An experienced technician can check all of the moving parts, lubricate them as needed, adjust pulleys and cables, and make sure everything is working properly. This will help ensure your safety during the winter months and keep your garage door working efficiently.
The cold weather will accelerate metal fatigue on the wearable parts like the springs causing them to fail if they are nearing the end of their life. Get ahead of it, especially if it has been a few years since your last garage door service.
These three tips will help you get your garage door ready for the cold weather. Taking the time to check on your garage door now can save you from having to make costly repairs later. So remember to love your garage door this season and don’t forget about it once the cold weather hits. Your garage door will thank you.