Your garage door’s ability to endure the impending winter weather and lower temperatures depends on the maintenance it receives. Preventative garage door maintenance not only makes the door last longer but also makes it work better. This tutorial will go over the fundamentals of winter garage door maintenance. It covers everything involved in professional maintenance as well as a few strategies you can apply yourself.
Why Professional Garage Door Maintenance Matters
Winter is a particularly important time to invest in professional garage door maintenance. Because of the complexity of the parts involved, only skilled specialists should work on the garage door. Repairmen have the training and experience to see problems that homeowners may miss, which helps them avoid costly repairs in the winter.
Visual Inspections
Garage door experts do a comprehensive visual check when performing maintenance. They check the weather stripping for damage and replace it if necessary to make sure it effectively seals against chilly breezes. Examining metal parts for rust allows professionals to determine whether to apply rust inhibitors. They also check for any damage that might affect the door’s insulation, such as fractures or warping. These visual checks are paramount to making sure the door works properly all winter.
Tightening Loose Parts
During winter garage door repair, experts pay special attention to tightening components that are vital to the door’s structure and operation. They take great care to tighten all nuts, bolts and fasteners on hinges, rollers and tracks. This keeps these parts from rattling, moving or vibrating while in use. Careful execution of this tightening process is necessary to prevent issues caused by loose components. In addition to making the garage door more efficient and less prone to wear and tear, it also improves safety.
Lubricating Moving Parts
Lubricating springs reduces friction and prolongs their useful life by preventing them from wearing out too quickly. Lubrication also allows rollers to glide smoothly down their tracks. Lubricating the hinges keeps them from becoming stiff and makes them easy to move when the door opens and closes.
Inspecting Safety Features
As part of winter maintenance, garage door specialists check all of the safety features to make sure they work properly. Professionals test the safety cables as a precaution against possible harm from the spring breaking. They check photoelectric sensors thoroughly to make sure they respond quickly to obstacles and don’t cause accidents. Checking the emergency release mechanism ensures it works, so you can use it by hand when the power goes out. They also make sure that the auto-reverse function, which is essential for safety, can stop the door from falling if it detects an obstacle.
Check Door Balance
Experts examine and adjust the door to make sure it stays balanced. To prevent the opener from experiencing unequal wear and tear, they check the door’s equilibrium by hand. Finding the sweet spot for tension and balance requires checking extension springs and sometimes adjusting torsion springs. This laborious method reduces the likelihood of garage door problems in the winter and improves the door’s general efficiency and dependability.
Sensor Alignment
During winter garage door maintenance, professionals stress the need for proper sensor alignments to ensure correct and reliable functioning. They make sure the photoelectric sensors are in the correct locations and tweak them as needed to get them exactly so. The proper placement of these sensors prevents issues like the door not closing or suddenly reversing due to misalignment.
Home Garage Door Maintenance Tips
Garage door maintenance tips that are safe for homeowners to perform are those listed below. Taking time to carry out this maintenance can help the door last longer. It also ensures the door protects the garage’s interior from winter’s harsh weather.
Decluttering for Winter Storage
To keep the garage door working smoothly and your winter storage space organized, you must declutter the garage before winter arrives. You can make the garage more accessible and maintain the walkways clean by storing winter things strategically. Keeping things neat and tidy reduces the likelihood of accidents and maximizes efficiency. For things like snow shovels, ice melt and winter sports equipment, consider installing hanging shelves on the wall. To keep smaller things from becoming all over the place and getting in the way of the garage door, use transparent storage boxes or containers with labels to keep them organized. Storage bags and foldable shelves are great short-term solutions that won’t force you to permanently give up space as the seasons change.
To keep your work area free of tools and equipment, consider purchasing hooks or pegboards to put on the wall. Mounting skis, snowboards or sleds on the wall keeps them safe and out of the way of the garage door. Consider using overhead storage racks to secure bulkier goods, such as Christmas decorations, away from the path of the entrance. To make room for cars to park without obstacles, remove any extraneous objects from the floor.
Clearing Snow From Garage Entrance
To maintain operation, safety and the absence of damage, it is essential to clear snow from the garage entry. The garage door may not open or shut smoothly if snow and ice have built up and gotten in the way. Due to the potential for garage door system strain or failure, this blockage represents a safety issue. Furthermore, ice patches may form when melting snow refreezes, making walking very dangerous.
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep snow and ice from accumulating in and around the garage door. For light snowfall, consider using snow shovels or snow blowers. These tools allow you to easily clear the driveway. Applying de-icing agents can prevent slippery surfaces. Some of the most popular types include rock salt and calcium chloride.
Depending on the roof’s design, it may be possible to install snow baffles along the roofline. This not only prevents snow accumulation on the roof but also keeps snow from obstructing the garage entrance. Homeowners also have the option to install heated driveway systems. A heated driveway melts snow and ice without you having to do anything, ensuring a clear path to the garage. Another option is to install overhead awnings. This reduces the garage entrance’s susceptibility to falling snow.
Apply a Rust Inhibitor
You may need to apply rust inhibitors more regularly if you live in a location with harsh weather conditions. Louisville is especially prone to thunderstorms, heavy rain, winter snowfall, heatwaves, tornadoes and ice storms. Never use a rust inhibitor without first reading and carefully following the product’s instructions. You may need to use certain inhibitors more often, while others provide protection that lasts longer. To safely apply the rust inhibitor, you must make sure the metal surfaces are clean. You’ll also want to wear safety gear and apply the inhibitor by spraying it on or brushing it on according to the directions on the package.
Winter garage door maintenance is crucial to your safety and the structural integrity of your home. Here at Lewis Door Service, we also help Louisville homeowners with garage door installation, repairs and replacements. Contact us now to schedule maintenance for your garage door.
