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Joe Wilde Company

Joe Wilde Company

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Why Won’t My Garage Door Open in Cold Weather?

February 26, 2022

We love our garages in the winter. They protect our cars from the harsh cold and give us a comfortable place to get in and out of our vehicles. But that convenience can quickly turn to frustration when the garage door fails to open.

If you want to troubleshoot the problem yourself, here are some of the top reasons for a broken garage door with some tips for fixing it. In some cases, it’s best to call a professional garage door service company like Joe Wilde Company.

Metal Contracts in Cold Weather

A common reason a garage door won’t open in cold weather is that metal contracts, which could make the springs and other metal pieces seize up. You could start by warming up the temperature in the garage to see if that allows the parts to expand. Lubricating the springs, hinges, rollers, and other moving parts with a silicone-based lubricant will help keep your garage door working through the winter months.

Hardened Grease

Grease makes garages open easily, but cold weather hinders this process. The freezing temperatures cause grease to solidify, leading to garage doors that won’t open. Resolve this problem by adding heat to your garage. Also, use a grease solvent in combination with a silicone-based lubricant when maintaining the door. Use a small brush, such as a toothbrush, to work the solvent into cracks. Then wipe it away and apply the proper lubricant to the moving parts.

Not enough Grease

The proper amount of grease affects the smoothness of your garage door opening. During warmer weather, insufficient lubricant may not cause a problem. But, when the weather gets cold, your garage door won’t open without an adequate amount of grease.  You may need to add a silicone-based lubricant for it to work properly.

Broken Garage Door Springs

When the temperature drops, metal can break and crack. The cold weather may have caused the garage door springs to become rigid and snap. Joe https://joewilde.comWilde Company stocks and repairs traditional 10,000 cycle springs, torsion, and extension springs. Our warehouse staff can also make upgraded springs with higher cycle springs. 

Warped or Misaligned Tracks

When the metal parts contract due to the cold, the door alignment and track can become separated or misaligned. If your garage door goes off-track, the door system will not open properly. Some homeowners try to realign the door themselves, but when dealing with damaged metal, calling a service professional is probably best. 

Inadequate Weather Stripping

As rubber weather stripping ages, it hardens and cracks, leaving a lack of protection. Also, when water freezes near a closed garage door, the weather stripping can stick to the ground, then peel away as you raise the door. Without a proper seal, moisture gets caught on tracks, between panels, and on moving parts. This moisture turns to ice as the temperature drops, causing the door to freeze. Defrosting the ice with a hairdryer and replacing the weatherstripping solve this cold weather problem. Regularly brush away snow and puddles to prevent the weather stripping from becoming damaged.

Preventative Maintenance

To prevent winter weather issues with your garage door, complete these planned maintenance items regularly. 

  1. Spray a solvent on track, rollers, and hinges.
  2. Lubricate bearings and pulleys. For springs, roller bearings, and shuttle, use a silicone-based lubricant. 
  3. Wipe down and clean all system parts. For unforgiving dirt and debris, remove the part and soak it. 

Consistent routine maintenance prevents winter garage doors issues. During annual tune-ups and scheduled inspections, service technicians examine your cables, opener, rollers, and brackets to make sure they are in working order. Being diligent with preventative care saves you money in unexpected repairs and service calls. 

Service and Repair

When your garage doors won’t open in cold weather, you want immediate service you can depend on. Our garage technicians have decades of on-the-job experience. Joe Wilde Company services all brands of doors and accessories! We also keep our trucks stocked to quickly get your garage door in working order. Contact us today to schedule your annual tune-up or to request an estimate by phone at (262) 782-0500 or online at www.joewilde.com. 

Category iconChoosing A Garage Door,  Garage Door Accessories,  Garage Door Repair,  Garage Door Tips

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Joe Wilde Company

16601 W Cleveland Ave
New Berlin, WI 53151

Phone (262) 782-0500

5012 28th Ave
Rockford, IL 61109

Phone (815) 491-8115

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