Tips for Winterizing Your Garage Door

The times are slowly getting shorter, which means it won’t be a long time before your once green lawn is blanketed in snow. As the cold weather starts to set in, it is important for homeowners to correctly winterize their homes. However, garage door fix is all too often overlooked. Take the time to ensure your garage door is in correct working order. This will help prolong the life of your door while keeping you comfortable and dry. Know more in detail about Garage Doors Kent and Garage Doors Maidstone.

Your garage door can’t do its job all by itself yet. No matter how durable and strong a garage door is, it can and will break down over time, if left to face the elements on its own. This can become a big problem for you and your home, because the garage door often is the first and last line of defense your garage has from rain, snow, outside debris and vermin. It’s up to you to make sure your garage door is kept in the best possible condition so it can continue to protect your garage and your home for as long as achievable before it needs to be replaced. If you’re interested in learning how to winterize your garage, these tips will help you ensure your garage door is ready for whatever the period throws at it.

Safe Storage

As the temperature dips below freezing, it’s important to be aware of what we store in the garage. Commonly stored items such as paint cans and cans of foods that contain water can freeze during wintertime. The quality of both paint and your canned food items decreases with freeze-thaw cycles. It’s important to relocate these to an area with a more stable temperature.

Damaged seal?    

Any proper garage door repair must include a check of all the door’s components. If your garage door windows have any cracks, you should replace them before wintertime arrives. Furthermore, you should check the seal around the windows also. If you notice any tears or cracks, the seal should be replaced before windows frames are broken by rainfall or snow.

Garage Door Safety

We’ve offered some suggestions for maintaining your garage door in winter already. We recommend these upkeep activities because cold temperatures can cause the screws, springs, and other metal parts of your garage door to contract. The contraction can lead to your door failing to open or near properly. Sometimes these can also pose a hazard to you and your family. Lubricating the steel moving parts helps your garage door operate safely. In addition, keep the area under your garage door clear of ice and snow.

Keep Everything Tight

One of the most important ideas you should remember for winterizing your garage door is making sure everything on it is kept tight. Because a garage door usually moves up and down many times a day, it’s only natural that all that movement can start to take a toll on the door’s hardware. When vibration starts to loosen the hardware, gaps can appear in the door and allow cold snow and air into your garage. Make sure your garage doorway is ready for wintertime by tightening all of the door’s bolts with a socket wrench.

The key to proper garage door repair and maintenance: lubrication! 

 Lubrication is an important step in garage door fix and maintenance. You should lubricate the metal parts at least twice a year. Use a petroleum-structured lubricant and utilize it to all metal parts that come in contact with one another. This includes hinges, rollers, and spring systems. Don’t forget to remove any excess product with a rag. Grease build-up can cause unnecessary wear and tear to the mechanism. Ask a specialist which lubricants to use on your garage door.
 
Care for the Rollers

Although your garage door itself might last for decades, not all of its components can last as long. For example, your garage door’s rollers shall need to be inspected and replaced every several years. Whether they are metal or nylon, your garage door’s rollers can become put on and chipped over many years of constant use. It’s important to remember to inspect them before wintertime comes so you can replace any rollers.

Manually test your door

Did you know that many garage door difficulties can be discovered by tests your door manually? Because your door operates on a mechanical system it is often tough to detect any small problems in the system. A simple manual test can help you determine if there exists a problem with the rollers, rails or spring tension. You should be able to lift a well-adjusted door manually. If this isn't the case, your garage door’s mechanism may need some TLC. This could be due to overuse and if fixed can greatly reduce your door’s lifespan not. For your safety, never attempt to adjust the cables or torsion springs on your own.