Winterizing your garage door may not seem like a necessary task, but if you hope to enjoy a fully functional, long-lasting door, you’ll want to add it to your to-do list. Frigid winter conditions can negatively affect your garage door if you don’t make the appropriate preparations, and fortunately, there’s still time to get started. Here to help you check garage door prep off your autumn to-do list are the professionals at Door Power in Norwood, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at what every garage door owner should be doing come fall.
Check Your Garage Door’s Seals
An improperly sealed garage door can allow harsh, frigid air to make its way into your home during the winter season. To prevent this from occurring, take a few moments to examine the seals around your garage door. The easiest way to do it? After dark, turn the lights on in your garage with the door fully closed. Head out to your driveway and take stock of the area around the sides of the door. If you can see any light emerging from around the door, you likely have a sealing problem. Contact a garage door repair technician to fix the seal before the chillier temperatures settle in.
Touch Up the Lubrication
Your garage door has numerous moving parts, all of which require lubrication to function properly. Ideally, you should lubricate all moving parts once per year, and just prior to the chilly season is the perfect time to do it. Here’s how:
● Begin by closing your garage door fully. Doing so will give you unobstructed access to the door’s moving parts.
● Once you’ve closed the door, for safety’s sake, be sure to disconnect the door from its power source. Alternatively, you can switch off the appropriate breaker in your circuit box.
● Thoroughly wipe down the inside of your door’s tracks to remove any buildup that may slow the door’s rollers. You can use a damp cloth for this step. For difficult-to-reach buildup, try using the hose attachment of a heavy-duty vacuum.
● Using spray lubricant, apply a thin mist of product to all of the door’s moving parts. These include hinges, rollers, springs, bearings, locks, and the armbar. After you’ve finished the moving parts, spray an even mist of lube along the top inner side of the rail that houses your garage door’s chain.
Inspect the Garage Door Tracks
Many a homeowner has awoken on a frigid morning to find their garage door hopelessly stuck. Fortunately, this scenario is almost always preventable. One of the most common culprits behind a seemingly immovable garage door is a problem with the tracks that house the door’s rollers. Debris and grime can easily build up within these tracks throughout the year. Come winter, this buildup can freeze into a dense, impenetrable sludge. Or, if the tracks are slightly out of alignment, freezing temperatures can cause the metal to contract, throwing the alignment even more out of whack.
Before the first frost hits, you’ll want to examine your garage door tracks for any buildup or any signs of misalignment. You can easily wipe away buildup yourself, but if you notice an issue with the structure of the tracks, it’s best to have a garage door repair technician bring the tracks back into proper alignment.
Observe the Door’s Movement
Perhaps the easiest and quickest way to spot an issue with your garage door is to simply watch the way it moves along the tracks. Ideally, you should observe the door’s movement from both inside and outside of your garage to conduct the most comprehensive evaluation. If you notice any unusual noises, wobbling, catching, uneven movement, or anything out of the ordinary, it’s time to call in the professionals. Early detection is key if you hope to avoid the hassle of sub-zero garage door repairs, so don’t forget to perform this often overlooked step!
Your Full-Service Garage Door Company in Norwood, Minn.
We all know how brutal Minnesota winters can be, and at Door Power, we’re here to help you get prepared. With over 60 years of combined experience, we pride ourselves on delivering prompt, high-quality, professional service you can count on. With fair, transparent pricing, same-day service, and expert, in-house technicians, we bridge the gap between so-so and superb. Residential or commercial, garage door repair or a full installation, we’re here for you when you need us. Reach out to us to request your free estimate, or for any questions and to schedule service, contact our team at 952-467-3199.