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Common Winter Garage Door Problems

As we all know, Midwest winters can be harsh. It won’t be long before the snow begins piling up. With the frigid temperatures and snow, it can be easy to forget the effect they can have on your garage door. It is estimated that 71 percent of homeowners use their garages to enter and exit their house, making garage door problems a huge inconvenience.

Before the winter reaches its prime, it is important to be aware of some of the most common garage door problems that occur this time of year so that you can get ahead of them and keep your door running smoothly. Let’s review some of the most common winter garage door problems.

Contracting Metal and Damaged Components

In order for your garage door to be properly functioning, every single part needs to be in the best shape. When one component is damaged or faulty, it can cause the entire system to shut down. This is a serious issue, especially with the cold temperatures make metal contract. A garage door has many metal components. The screws, springs, railing, and other parts can break or cause your garage door to get jammed due to contracting.

Broken garage door springs are one of the most common garage door issues that happen during the winter. And since garage door springs keep the weight of your door balanced, they are essential to a fully operating system.

The metal components of your garage door system should be lubricated throughout the entire year as a part of regular garage door maintenance, but it’s especially essential during the winter months to avoid contracting metal and a malfunctioning door.

Garage Door Frozen To The Ground

One of the most annoying problems that can happen this winter is when a garage door sticks in cold weather. If water accumulates at the bottom of the gate, it can seal and freeze the garage door shut. Does your garage door stick when cold? The best way to avoid this problem is to sweep puddles and snow away from the base of your door right away, not allowing it to accumulate.

Damaged Garage Door Sensors

Believe it or not, the remote sensors can become cracked when the temperatures are harsh. While this is a rare occurrence, if you have cracked garage door sensors you’ll need to call a professional garage door company to find out what’s happening with the sensor and either fix the issue by offering garage door sensor repair or replacement. Before you call anyone, check for simple issues like dead batteries or something interfering with the photo eye sensors.

Damaged Weather Stripping

Garage door weather stripping is a great way to keep the cold air out and the warm air inside your garage during the winter. It also can improve energy efficiency. However, sometimes during the winter, water can freeze around the base of your garage door and trap the weather stripping between the ice and the ground. When you try to open your garage door, it can tear the weather stripping off. Furthermore, as time passes, the stripping wears and tends to harden and crack, eliminating the seal and allowing the cold air to enter inside. With such a large door, losing the weather stripping seal can create your overall heating costs to rise. Again, a good way to avoid this issue is to sweep snow and water away from the base of your door before it has the chance to freeze. Inspect your weather stripping regularly to make sure it hasn’t become too worn or damaged to keep your garage and home warm.

Contact Garage Door Doctor For Garage Door Repair In The Winter

Not only is fixing your garage door in the winter difficult and dangerous to do without the proper knowledge and equipment, but the cold temperatures make it a task you don’t want to have to deal with. By taking the necessary precautions, you can prevent these common winter garage door problems. If you find yourself in need of garage door repair this winter season, you can rely on the expert garage door contractors at Garage Door Doctor! Our team can diagnose whatever problem your garage door system is having, getting it back up and properly functioning as it should. To receive a free estimate, contact our garage door company today!

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