5 Common Cold Weather Problems

Hardened Grease – Cold weather can cause the lubrication that is on your garage door to harden. If this happens to you, you may notice that your garage door has a hard time rolling up and down, gets stuck in certain spots, or is jerks when it moves. Any strange symptoms like these may indicate that the lubrication on the tracks or rollers has frozen over or hardened.

Lack of Grease – A lack of grease may also be to blame for garage door problems during the wintertime. In this case, your garage door may refuse to move at all or will struggle to move up and down. Keeping your garage door well lubricated is important year-round, but is especially crucial during the winter and colder weather months.

Materials Contract – Another reason your garage door may not be working properly in the winter is because materials tend to contract in colder weather. Since garage doors tend to be made of metal, it is possible for certain parts to shrink and distort slightly. This may result in strange noises, bent tracks, loose springs, and other mishaps.

A Garage Door Springs Breaks

The springs on your garage door are more likely to break during colder weather. This is because the springs can stiffen and become rigid, especially if they are left immobile for long periods of time. If you do experience a garage door spring break of any kind, make sure to hire professional help immediately. Keep your family members clear of the garage until someone can arrive to help you fix the broken spring. Spring breaks can be especially dangerous and it is not recommended that you attempt to repair the spring yourself.

The Tracks Misalign or Warp

Just like with the springs, the tracks on your garage door are especially prone to breaking or warping during cold weather. Since garage door tracks are almost exclusively made of metal, you should not be surprised if you find yourself with a bent track in your garage this winter.

Sometimes these repairs can be minor and homeowners are able to place the track back in its proper position using a rubber mallet of some kind. However, since garage door tracks play such a big role in the functioning of your garage, you should consider hiring an expert to help you. Garage door repairs of any kind can be dangerous. Unless you have prior experience with garage door tracks and other parts, you may end up causing more damage to your garage or injuring yourself.

How to Help Your Garage During Cold Weather

Add Extra Lubrication

A good majority of the problems you may experience this winter with your garage will be the result of lost or lack of lubrication. Since colder weather will dry out the mechanics of your garage faster, you will need to take extra care during the winter to make sure the parts remain lubricated. For most garage door owners, applying extra lubrication will help increase the longevity of your garage and help combat any potential damages.

Check the Weather Stripping

At the bottom of your garage door, you should have a rubber piece that runs across the entire length of the garage. This is known as weather stripping and it helps to keep wind, water, and other elements out of your garage. Be sure to check the weather stripping on your garage door for any cracks or signs of damage. Ill-fitting weather stripping could result in damages to your garage and your belongings inside.

Inspect Your Garage Periodically

During colder weather, you will want to pay attention to how your garage is behaving. You may need to test it periodically and make sure everything is running smoothly. Staying on top of any abnormal behaviors will allow you to address any problems as soon as they arise and get them taken care of immediately. Sometimes, garage door issues may seem sudden when they are actually the result of a faulty part or piece that has been worn out for some time. Make sure to look over the springs, tracks, cables, and other parts every so often to remain proactive about any potential issues.