With the cold weather in full swing, it may be time to pay a little extra attention to your garage door. Depending on where you live, a garage door can see some major damage this time of year. You should include your garage door when you are doing your home's outdoor winter weather preparations. If you did not take any extra precautions, you may notice some issues that will need repair. Here are a few examples of garage door issues that can occur during the winter weather months:
The Garage Door Is Slow to Open
You may have noticed that some motorized equipment does not work as well in the cold temperatures. The same can be said for a garage door. When the weather dips to close to freezing temperatures or lower, any moisture in the components of the garage door can start to freeze and stick. The moisture can be condensation buildup or extra lubrication fluid. When the moisture gets too cold, the garage door's motor has to work a little harder to open the door. Do not be tempted to add less lubrication, however, as this will still result in a door that does not open normally.
If you do not notice any freezing moisture in your tracks or other components of the door, there may be a problem with the springs or the motor itself. If you cannot get to the bottom of the problem, you should call your garage door repair technician for an inspection.
Your Weather Stripping Is Damaged
You may notice that the bottom of your garage door wants to stick to the garage floor when it is closed. This can be attributed to a number of things, but is most likely due to freezing water that can collect in this area. When you open the garage door, the weather stripping can stick and peel of the door. When you do not have functioning weather stripping, the garage door will be exposed to precipitation and cold air. Both of these events can cause problems for your garage door's mechanics. Fortunately, this is a rather easy fix. Just call your garage door technician for a repair.
The Metal Can Contract
When the temperatures dip, metal can contract. This includes the metal components of a garage door. All parts of the door have some form of metal on it, and it can become stiff and even break with the garage door's weight. The springs can eventually break, which is going to render the door almost useless until you get it repaired. This is not a repair you should try yourself, as it can be complex and even dangerous. Be sure to call a professional for this job.
