Prepare your garage door for winter with these simple tips!
Photo of: Clopay
Winter is coming, so it's time to prepare your home for the cold weather on the go. And one of the most important parts of your home to prepare for winter – and one of the most overlooked – are the roller garage doors. Temperatures below zero can affect electronics and movement mechanisms, while inadequate insulation can result in your entire house becoming an ice box. Follow these five simple tips to properly prepare your garage door for winter and avoid the problems described above.
1. Replace the weather protection
When your weather protection wears out, let cold air flow freely into your garage and home. Fortunately, it's easy to find out if your garage is properly sealed: turn on the lights and go outside at night to see if light shines through the cracks. If so, look at the weather protection that seals the sides and bottom of the door. Request a replacement from your manufacturer if it appears brittle, cracked or loose. Regardless of the condition of your weather protection, it is a good idea to wipe it off quickly every month with an all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt and grime.
Check the keyboard and the opener
The battery in the keyboard and remote opener will drain faster in the colder months. Now is a good time to check that everything is working properly. Even if your battery still seems to be strong, it makes sense to make a backup so that you can quickly replace it when the old one is inevitably empty. Check if you update or repair one of the two devices if you find any errors.
Photo of: J Taylor Designs
Lubricate the moving parts
In cold temperatures, the rollers, rails, springs, hinges and other moving parts can get stuck, which makes opening and closing the door increasingly difficult. Buy a high quality oil-based lubricant and apply it to all of these parts to extend the life and improve the ease of use of the door. You need to make sure the lubricant is designed for cold weather, depending on the climate. Don't forget to wipe off the excess lubricant so it doesn't drip all over the floor. A wide range of lubricants are available in spray bottles or aerosols from your local hardware store.
Check the scale
Although balance problems can occur at any time of the year, now is the time to check that your garage door is properly aligned. An unbalanced door could suddenly slam and crush everything underneath. This is an important security issue that you need to address. To check the balance of your door, disconnect the door from the automatic opener and push it up about halfway up. If your door can roll up or fall down quickly, it is not well balanced and requires professional maintenance. Give the sensors, seal them and clean them with a damp cloth while you're at it.
Check the insulation
If your garage is uncomfortably cold or you pay too much for your quarterly heating bill, it may be worth isolating your garage door. You can buy panels at your local hardware store and home improvement store, although you need to consider how much extra weight the insulation adds. If this matters, the springs may need to be adjusted to increase torque so that the motor can handle the additional load.
If you follow these simple steps, you can winterize your garage door in time for the colder months. However, keep in mind that any maintenance of the torsion springs is dangerous. You therefore need to get professional help. Search for experienced garage door repair operators in Adelaide to find a professional to come to your home with the support you need.
