There’s nothing more frustrating than finding out that your garage door won’t open, especially when your car’s parked in the garage and you’re already off to a late start.
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your garage door system, which means a door that’s stuck in the down position is actually more common than you may think. In the following post, our door specialists reviewed winter’s effects on your garage door system.
Here’s why your garage door may be extra stubborn when the temperature is low:
Lack of Lubrication
You might not have heeded your garage door manual’s recommendation or missed out on oiling a few key parts. Now, your door’s metal inner workings were hit with the perfect storm of dry, chilly air and they got stiff and seized up, leaving it stranded shut.
To keep your garage door’s metal parts moving smoothly during the winter months, consult your owner’s manual for specific lubrication instructions or contact a certified technician for assistance.
Broken Springs
Maybe you can’t remember exactly when your last set of springs was installed, but it’s been at least a few years, and in this case, winter’s cold conditions were the straw that broke the camel’s back. That means your garage door’s springs have surrendered once and for all.
Garage door springs only last a set number of cycles, but Precision sees a spike in spring repairs during the winter each year. Continuing to operate the door with damaged springs is extremely dangerous. If you suspect broken springs, make sure to seek the assistance of a trained professional immediately.
It’s Frozen Shut
With winter’s noncommittal weather patterns that can surge from mild and rainy to subfreezing and snowing, making it through the season without experiencing a door that’s frozen to the floor is a cause for celebration. During one of these temperature transitions, ice and precipitation seeped into the door’s seal and froze, and now you’re left with a frustrating obstacle to deal with in your morning routine.
To try to prevent this from happening, don’t avoid using your door in the winter. This way you can keep tabs on its overall behavior. Also, ensure that you remember to fully remove snow and ice from the door opening when there’s a storm.
When in Doubt, Keep Calm and Call Precision Garage Door
If you’re stuck with a garage door that won’t open in the cold, it’s always recommended that you get in touch with a reputable garage door services company in your area. For Delaware and Maryland homeowners, that’s Precision Garage Door.
Our trained and certified garage door technicians are on call 24/7 specifically for door difficulties like these. Give us a call and we’ll send one of our trusted technicians out to your home so you can get on with your day.
For more information on your garage door’s inner systems and how to identify an issue sooner, you’ll want to download our free Homeowner’s Guide to Garage Door Repairs. This resource is packed with tips from Precision’s experts that will help you understand your door’s warranty and its main parts like the springs and opener.