With winters in full swing (or ferocity!), garage door winter maintenance takes front row seat. Cold winds are blowing across North America and affecting everything that comes in their way. The effects on mechanical entities can be grave depending on the severity of cold and condition of machines. So, it is crucial that as soon as winters start important home components demand attention.
Effects of Cold Weather on Garage Doors
Garage doors are just like any other machine. In winters, the expansion and contraction of components affects the overall working mechanism. The various integral components such as pulleys, springs, openers, sliders etc all undergo change in working style. Cold weather creates more friction between the parts thereby reducing their efficiency. The oil in moving parts contracts and creates shifting issues. This puts more pressure on the electrical motor which uses more power to move the door. Wooden door panels undergo severe change under cold conditions. They contract in size marginally. So, low-quality manufacturing may result in cracked panels or create space under the door. The paint is also affected by severe fog or moisture in the air. Steel doors can get exposed to rust due to this excess moisture. Electrical components such as garage door opener may have to overwork due to snow accumulated in front and under the door.
Winter Maintenance Tips
- First and foremost precaution is that of inspection. Analyze every part and component of the door in complete detail. Notice any hidden issues such as misaligned tracks, frail cable, erratic opener etc. Make a note of such issues and undertake a do-it-yourself operation to sort out these problems. Do not touch dangerous components such as springs and cables though.
- Paint and Surface Preparation – The outer surface of the door is affected the most by snow and wind. This causes paint to chip down. So, choose a sunny day to refurbish the door surface with high-quality primer and paint. This maintains the visual appeal of your door as well as offer protection against nature’s elements.
- Replace parts – Some parts need annual replacement. If your door works extra hard or is used excessively, it is vital that you keep track of condition all the parts. These include the tracks, pulleys, cables and may be springs as well. These moving components determine the efficiency of your door to a large extent.
- Emergency Check – Sometimes, seasonal change can cause the remote operation to fail. This calls for a check on emergency opening mechanism. This system should be in pristine condition to ensure you are never left stranded out in the cold.
- Professional Maintenance packages – Most garage door repair companies in your neighborhood offer winter maintenance packages for doors. Choose an affordable package that covers all the basic maintenance required for seasonal change. Choose a company that deals original spare parts. Give at least half day for a detailed check and repair of the door. Also, keep their phone number handy in case any emergency creeps up.
Winter time is crucial for garage doors, a nightmare even. This is the time when most severe complaints are registered by the repair companies. Hope these garage door winter maintenance tips help you overcome the odds and keep your door running with maximum efficiency.