Boise’s cold winters can be tough on your garage door. Just like any other mechanical system, the parts of your garage door can suffer from the effects of freezing temperatures. If you’ve noticed that your garage door is harder to open or close during the winter months, you’re not alone. Here’s how cold weather can affect your garage door and what you can do to keep it working smoothly.
Common Cold Weather Garage Door Problems
Frozen Tracks and Rollers
When temperatures drop below freezing, moisture can accumulate and cause your garage door’s tracks and rollers to freeze. This may prevent the door from moving at all or cause jerky movements when it does.
Solution: Try gently warming the tracks with a hairdryer or applying de-icing products. Be careful not to use excessive force when attempting to open the door, as this could damage the door or opener.
Hardened Grease
The grease that lubricates your garage door’s moving parts can thicken in the cold, making it difficult for the door to move smoothly. Over time, this can put a strain on the motor and other components.
Solution: Replace the old, thickened grease with a lubricant specifically designed for cold temperatures. Regular maintenance can help prevent this issue from occurring in the first place.
Contracting Metal Parts
Cold temperatures cause metal components to contract. This can lead to misaligned tracks, springs that lose tension, and other issues that affect the functionality of your garage door.
Solution: Regular inspections during the winter months can catch these issues before they become major problems. If you notice any alignment issues, call a professional to adjust your tracks or springs.
Frozen Weather Seals
The weather seals around your garage door are there to keep out drafts and moisture. However, in freezing conditions, these seals can become brittle or stick to the ground, making it hard for the door to open.
Solution: Applying a silicone-based lubricant to the weather seals can prevent them from sticking to the ground. If the seals become damaged, it’s important to replace them to keep your garage insulated and functioning properly.
How to Winterize Your Garage Door
Taking some preventive steps can help avoid cold weather damage to your garage door:
Insulate Your Garage Door: Insulated doors help maintain a more stable temperature inside your garage, protecting the door and opener from extreme cold.
Check for Drafts: Inspect the weather seals along the sides and bottom of the door. Replace any worn seals to prevent cold air from entering and moisture from freezing around the door.
Schedule a Winter Tune-Up: Regular maintenance and a timely Boise garage door repair are key to keeping your garage door running smoothly during the winter. A professional tune-up will ensure that all parts are properly lubricated, aligned, and functioning before the cold sets in.
Let Us Help You Stay Warm
At Garage Door Store Boise, we understand the challenges that cold weather can bring to your garage door. From frozen tracks to worn-out weather seals, we’re here to provide professional maintenance and Boise garage door repair services to keep your door functioning all winter long.
Don’t let cold weather damage your garage door. Contact us today to schedule a winter tune-up and ensure your door stays in top shape, no matter the temperature!