The pouring snow, gusty winds, and chilling cold all take a heavy toll on the constructional integrity of your garage door.
During the colder months, the metal parts of your garage door, such as screws and springs, tend to shrink, not only causing unexpected problems with closing and/or opening but also making your garage door an unnecessary danger.
Here are some measures you can take to minimize the garage door danger during the winter:
Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Inspect the garage door thoroughly, making sure that all the moving parts are in fine working condition, ideally well before the onset of winter. In general, consider hiring a garage door professional that will inspect all the parts of your door at least once a year.
While you can inspect the mechanical function of your door every three months by disconnecting the door opener and opening and closing your door manually a few times, you should never attempt to fix issues with spring assembly, its hardware or garage door cables on your own.
During the winter, basic maintenance includes inspecting the area under the garage door and clearing accumulated snow or ice as soon as possible so that the door does not freeze shut.
Lubrication
Proper lubrication is the key to easy movement of garage doors, especially during rough weather as it protects the moving parts from the elements. If the lubrication is inadequate or too excessive, it can cause misalignment, leading to potential garage door danger.
A silicone-based lubricant is an ideal choice since temperature changes do not harden it immediately.
Metal parts are subject to shrinking and contracting; in addition to being well lubricated, they also need to be free from rust accumulation.
If any part replacements are needed because of poor maintenance during previous seasons, however, you are better off getting it done before the climate turns biting cold.
The Rollers
Misalignment of the rollers is a common problem that can become dangerous, particularly during the winter, so they should be replaced or repaired by dedicated garage door professionals at first signs of trouble.
Green Garage Doors Are Built to Last
The panels used in green garage doors follow a signature method of construction, making them feel and look like wood while being superior to real wood in terms of resistance to splitting, moisture, cracking and warping.
No added protective coating or paint primer is necessary. And while most of these doors with traditional panels are built for harsh weather conditions, they still come with a warranty of up to 10 years, making servicing as easy as possible, which, in turn, reduces a range of potential risks associated with garage door malfunctions.
Do You Need a New Garage Door?
The reason your door is not handling winter weather well could very well be because it is old and unsafe, and it may be time for a new door. Take a look at some of our modern, robust options available. Get a free quote for a new door, and protect your garage properly for the next decade of winters.