As you embark on your journey to maintain your garage door, it’s crucial to understand the importance of regular upkeep. Proper maintenance not only enhances the functionality and lifespan of your garage door, but it also ensures the safety of your household. In this article, we’ll provide valuable insights that will empower you to efficiently preserve your garage door.
Paying attention to the changing seasons is vital to keeping your garage in top condition. This is particularly true during winter months when harsh weather conditions can lead to wear and tear. By following the guidelines discussed in this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to prepare your garage door for the colder months, keeping it in optimal working order for the long run.
Preparing Your Garage Door for Winter
When winter’s cold grip is upon us, it’s crucial to tend to your garage door to ensure its longevity and avoid any unwelcome surprises. You can take several simple steps to protect both your garage door including:
- Examine the door and its tracks for debris or damage
- Inspect weather stripping around the garage door
- Apply an appropriate lubricant to the door’s moving parts, such as springs, bearings, and hinges
- Organise and clean your garage to ensure easy access during winter
- Insulate the walls and windows of your garage for added warmth
Why Preparing Your Garage Door for Winter is Important
1. Enhance Your Garage Door’s Longevity
Regular maintenance is vital for many aspects of your home, including your garage door. Proper care results in an extended life span for your garage door, which you likely use every day. Good maintenance practices not only assure convenience but also help you avoid costly garage door replacements.
2. Boost Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
A well-insulated garage door prevents cold air from entering your garage and minimises heat loss. Shared interior walls with the garage can let cold air into your home, increasing your heating costs. By efficiently insulating your garage door, you can keep your garage warm and reduce cold air infiltration into your home, saving on energy bills, which we all know is critical nowadays.
3. Safeguard Garage Pipes from Cold Damage
In some homes, water pipes run through the garage. Exposure to extremely cold temperatures can make these pipes brittle and prone to bursting, causing significant plumbing damage. Properly insulating and maintaining your garage door helps keep the garage warm, preventing pipe damage and costly repairs.
4. Protect Your Stored Items from Moisture Damage
Winter’s cold air can bring moisture into your garage, potentially damaging stored items. Boxes, power tools, and footwear can be destroyed by the dampness from any snow in the winter air. Items close to or on the floor are particularly vulnerable to moisture build up. By adequately preparing your garage door for winter, you can protect your stored belongings from moisture-related damage.
How to Make Sure Your Garage Door is Good this winter:
1. Examine the Garage Door and Its Tracks
Carry out a thorough inspection of your garage door and its tracks. Pay attention to any unusual noises or obstructions when you open and close the door several times. If you find any issues, consider contacting a professional for assistance. Regular maintenance can extend the life of your garage door—address any problems before winter sets in.
2. Assess Your Garage Door Opener and Its Safety Sensors
Take some time to inspect your garage door opener for any broken components. Ensure the safety sensors are functioning correctly. If your garage door hesitates while opening or closing, there might be a problem with the sensors. Snow can accumulate and affect sensor performance, so tackle potential issues before winter arrives.
3. Inspect the Weather Stripping Around Your Garage Door
Weather stripping around the garage door helps exclude cold air, dirt, debris, and insects. Extreme temperatures can deteriorate the stripping, and even minor damage can render it ineffective. If you find cracks, tears, or missing sections, replace the entire strip. Partial replacements may leave gaps that undermine your efforts.
4. Lubricate the Moving Components of Your Garage Door
The metal moving parts of your garage door, such as springs, rollers, and hinges, require lubrication to operate smoothly. Apply a non-silicone lubricant, avoiding sticky grease that attracts debris. Freshly lubricated parts are less likely to dry or freeze in cold weather.
5. Install Insulation on Your Garage Door
Adding insulation to your garage door helps maintain warmth during winter. Properly insulated garage doors prevent moisture build-up, which can freeze and weigh down the door, potentially hindering its operation. Many modern garage doors come with built-in insulation for temperature regulation. Inspect the walls around your garage for damage, and ensure they are well-insulated to prevent cold air infiltration.
Who Can Assist in Winterising Your Garage Door
For a properly winterised garage door, seeking professional help is recommended and that’s where we here at AGD can help. Our skilled technicians can offer valuable assistance in preparing your garage door for the colder months. Services they provide may include:
- Adding new insulation
- Updating weather stripping
- Installing a new garage door
- Performing a tune-up to extend your garage door’s lifespan
If you have any further questions about preparing your garage door for winter or garage doors in general be sure to get in touch with us today.
