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