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Fight the Frost: Tricks to Keeping Your Garage Door from Freezing Shut

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It’s February folks, and you know what that means? Winter is still knocking at your (garage) door.

Last month, we here at the Overhead Door Company of Omaha went over some ways to help you maintain your garage door during the winter. However, for those especially frosty February days, it helps to know a few additional tricks to keep it from freezing shut.

 

Sometimes, You Just Gotta Shovel

Nobody likes to shovel. In fact, it’s been scientifically proven that it’s the worst outdoor chore of all time. That said, if you don’t want your garage door to freeze, you have to try your best to keep it clean. Brushing away excess ice and snow in between the times when you go out to shovel the full driveway is usually all it takes to prevent the build-up that causes garage doors to freeze shut.

Feel the Heat

Space heaters crop up in every other room in your house during the winter, why should your garage be any different? Keeping a pair of small, sturdy space heaters handy will not only make the morning trudge to your car a bit easier, they’ll also help to keep the weather seal (that’s the fancy name for that thin piece of rubber on the bottom of your garage door) from cracking and the battery in your opener from draining – just make sure to be mindful of the cords and unplug them when you’re not using them.

Look in the Pantry

Ice melt should be your go-to if you’re trying to eliminate that last layer of frost for your driveway. However, we’ll forgive you if you didn’t want to make a special trip to the hardware store to lug 50-pound bags of it around. In those instances when you need something to break down icy build-up, look no further than your pantry for assistance. Both table and Kosher salt are serviceable replacements for the heavy-duty stuff. Just sprinkle a little seasoning near the weather seal, let it marinate and watch as your garage door returns to its former glory.

Just Add Water

What’s the best way to unstick a garage door? If you said adding water, congratulations you’re right (also, thank you for reading this post a second time). Pouring a small amount of warm (not boiling!) water on the weather seal could be the answer to unsticking it and preventing you from having to take more drastic steps.

 

If you’d like any additional tips or think you might need to replace the weather seal on your garage door, call the trained professionals at the Overhead Door Company of Omaha today!

(402) 331-0526

Combat The Cold: 5 Tips to Help Your Garage Door Survive the Winter

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Winter is an especially taxing time on your home. With snow, sleet, wind, and rain bombarding your home for months on end, it’s always good to make sure everything is working properly. Your garage door should be no different. By putting in a little extra time during the winter, you’ll ensure that your garage door will be running beautifully, even when the weather outside is anything but.

Don’t Break the Seal

The rubber seal at the bottom of your garage door has a lot of responsibilities. Not only does it keep water from seeping into your garage, but it helps to regulate the temperature in your home as well. To avoid a hefty heating bill or an unwanted indoor pool, make sure to clear off any icy buildup to so that the strip will not stick or crack.

Accessories Matters

You know what’s just as bad as a broken garage door? A faulty opener. It’s easy to forget, but the cold can sap the batteries in your outdoor keypad or the opener you keep tucked away in your car. Replacing the batteries now will ensure that you go through the rest of winter without fear that either of those devices will fail you. At the very least, consider buying a few batteries and keeping them in some easily-accessible spots in your home.

Listen to the Music

It may seem strange, but one of the easiest ways to tell if your garage door is working properly? The sound. Give your opener a few clicks and listen as the door travels up and down. If you hear a crunch, grind, or any other terrifying mechanical sound, it might be time to call the professionals at Overhead Door Company of Omaha.

Devil is in the Details

Does your garage door have windows or a fancy handle? Though these items might not immediately come to mind when you think of garage door maintenance, that doesn’t mean they should receive any less consideration. Checking that those windows are properly sealed and that the handle is still turning properly – even when it’s covered in a bit of frost – will save you the headache of having to do it when it’s freezing out.

Check the Balance

This one is pretty simple. Open and close your garage door a few times and look for any imbalances. Is it pulling to one side? Is there a hitch? Does it fall down quickly and roll up slowly? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it might be time to take a closer look. Make sure everything is properly lubricated, remove any buildup from the rollers, and check to see if anything is out of alignment. Sometimes, all your setup needs is a little TLC. Other times, that imbalance can be indicative of a bigger issue that should be looked at by a professional. Remember, tinkering with the torsion springs, rollers, or cables yourself can lead to serious injury if you’re not a trained professional.

 

To set up an appointment, schedule a repair, or just get a little more advice about maintaining your garage door, call Overhead Door Company of Omaha at the number below.

 

(402) 331-0526

Signs it’s Time to Replace the Old Door

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The first question you may ask yourself is, “why should I replace my garage door?” The average homeowner uses their garage door multiple times a day. If your garage is making strange noises or is acting differently, there may be an issue on the horizon- if not already. If your door is over ten years old, makes loud noises, and keeps failing to work properly, you should consider replacing your garage door. Read more →