Do You Hate the Cold? So Does Your Garage Door.
It’s that time of year again. Jack Frost is nipping at your garage door and you need to take the proper steps to protect it so it makes it to the spring. Below, the Overhead Door Company of Western Kentucky, has 4 tips to keep your garage operating at peak performance for as long as there is snow on the ground.
Seal the Deal
The weather stripping on the bottom of your garage door might be its most underrated feature. This small strip of rubber does a whole host of jobs: it prevents moisture from sneaking in, regulates the temperature, and keeps the door from freezing to the ground. That’s why this winter, you need to show it some respect by clearing off any icy buildup. If it does freeze, douse it with warm water and let it sit. It should be back to normal in a matter of minutes.
Lubrication
Lubrication is essential for your garage door year-round. Normally, you would only have to worry about greasing up the hinges, roller, tracks, and springs every three months. During the winter, that should increase to once every six weeks. But don’t worry, It’s a relatively simple process that only takes ten minutes to complete.
First, make sure your garage door is down and the power to the opener is unplugged. Next, give the aforementioned parts a gentle wipe down with a rag to clean any dirt or debris. Finally, apply an even coat of lithium-based grease — best because the mixture adheres to the metal with ease — and you’re all set. The benefits are plentiful: your garage door will run smoothly, be protected from the elements, and make far less noise than if you left it untouched.
Check For Material-Specific Damage
Different garage doors take different types of damage. If wood absorbs too much water, it rots. Metal rusts. Even plastics can be adversely affected by driveway salts. Knowing the signs of decay and what to look for can be the difference between replacing a panel and the whole door.
Protect Your Tech
The electronic components of your garage door — the opener, keypad, and photoelectric system (that fancy laser that tells you if anything is keeping your garage door from closing) — are all more susceptible to having their batteries drained during the winter. Switching them out mid-winter will drastically decrease the chances of waking up to a dead battery and your car trapped in your garage.
To set up an appointment, schedule a repair, or get a little more advice about how to care for your garage door this winter, call Overhead Door Company of Western Kentucky today.