2024-01-10 6 min read
As temperatures drop in Ohio, your garage door needs extra attention to ensure reliable operation throughout fall and winter. Cold weather affects lubricants, seals, and mechanical components in ways that can lead to unexpected breakdowns. Here's how to prepare your garage door for the season and avoid being stuck with a non-functioning door on the coldest day of the year.
Inspect and Replace Weatherstripping
Check the rubber weatherstripping along the bottom and sides of your door before cold weather arrives. Look for cracks, gaps, or hardened sections that won't seal properly against the concrete floor and door frame. Damaged weatherstripping allows cold air, moisture, and pests to enter your garage, increasing heating costs and potentially causing water damage to stored items. In Ohio, mice and other rodents often seek shelter in garages during fall.a good seal helps keep them out.
Quality weatherstripping should be flexible enough to compress when the door closes and spring back when it opens. If yours has become stiff and cracked, replacement is inexpensive and can be completed in about an hour by a professional.
Lubricate All Moving Parts
Cold weather causes lubricants to thicken, making moving parts work harder and wear faster. Apply a silicone-based lubricant to all moving parts including hinges, rollers, springs, and tracks. Pay special attention to the pivot points on hinges and the bearings inside rollers. Avoid WD-40 for this purpose.it's a degreaser, not a lubricant, and can actually strip away existing lubrication and cause more problems in cold weather.
For torsion springs, apply lubricant along the entire length of the coils. This reduces friction and helps prevent the metal from becoming brittle in freezing temperatures. A well-lubricated spring can last significantly longer than a dry one, especially through harsh Ohio winters.
Test Safety Features Before Winter Storms
Place a 2x4 board flat on the ground where your door closes. When you activate the door, it should automatically reverse when it contacts the board. Also test the photo-eye sensors by waving an object through the beam while the door is closing.the door should immediately reverse direction. If either safety feature fails, call for professional service immediately. These features are especially important during winter when family members may be moving quickly to get inside from the cold.
Check for Rust and Corrosion
Fall moisture accelerates rust formation on steel components. Inspect tracks, springs, and hardware for any signs of rust or corrosion. Light surface rust can often be cleaned with steel wool and treated with a rust-inhibiting primer. However, significant corrosion, especially on springs or cables, may require component replacement for safety reasons. Rusted springs are weakened and more likely to snap unexpectedly.
Balance and Alignment Check
Temperature changes can affect spring tension and door balance. Perform the manual balance test described in our balance adjustment article and check that the door travels smoothly without binding or scraping. Misalignment issues tend to worsen in cold weather as metal contracts, and what's a minor problem in October can become a major breakdown in January.
Schedule Your Professional Fall Tune-Up
Schedule a professional maintenance visit before winter arrives. Our technicians will perform a comprehensive inspection including all lubrication, adjustments, and safety checks. This small investment can save hundreds in emergency repair costs when you're stuck with a broken door during a winter storm. Contact Garage Door Uniontown at 1-330-587-9146 to schedule your fall tune-up.