The chill is in the air and the frost is upon us. Fall is full of holiday anticipation, soups in the crockpot, and a lot of football parties. It’s also time for homeowners to prepare for winter. Most of you have already cleaned the gutters and tuned up your furnace, but have you prepped your garage? Let us help you save on potentially costly repairs and service calls with our garage door winterization checklist.
COLD TEMPERATURE PROBLEMS
Numerous garage door problems occur during the winter. Cold weather causes metal parts, like screws and springs, to shrink. As these parts shrink, the garage doors’ performance declines. It may struggle to open and close due to warped tracks and broken springs. Gaps in seals and improper insulation allow cold air into your garage and your home. Energy bills skyrocket, and your family feels the permanent winter draft in the air.
GARAGE DOOR WINTERIZATION CHECKLIST
While there are problems that arise during winter months, there are solutions for all of them. Proactively winterizing your garage door in anticipation of possible damage saves you the inconvenience of calling a garage door repair technician when it’s below zero and snowing.
- Inspect Door and Tracks
From outside the garage, watch the garage door open and close multiple times. Pay attention to the ease in which it moves. Look for abnormal movement and listen for strange sounds. Observe and note the location of anything you see or hear that requires further inspection. If you cannot locate the problem or are unsure how to address it, contact a garage repair company for a professional inspection. If you notice chips or scratches on the door’s surface, fix them before the cold sets in. Sand and repaint or stain as needed.
- Check Door Seals
After dark, stand outside of the garage. Turn the interior garage light on and close the door. While facing the closed garage door, check for gaps of light shining through. If you see light, there is a problem with the door seal. Cracks and crevices in the seal allow cold air in and warm air out. Built-up dirt and debris prevent seals from working effectively. Take this opportunity to clean the seal around the garage door with a multi-purpose cleaner. Be sure to wipe down sensors to ensure safety features are operational. Leaves, snow, and debris prevent sensors from detecting children, pets, and objects in the path of the garage door.
- Lubricate Moving Parts
Keep parts moving throughout the winter by spraying on a lubricant. A few drops of engine oil or any can of spray lubricant allow springs, hinges, and bearings to move with ease. Do not apply grease to moving parts as it’s thickness hinders movement and collects dust.
By dedicating a small amount of time to your Garage Door Winterization Checklist, your door will function throughout the winter. In the event of an unforeseen emergency, or for a professional inspection, call Joe Wilde Company. Being in business for 70 plus years does not happen without being responsive, dependable, and trusted.