Here’s What’s Happening & How To Fix It
Nothing makes your morning commute easier than hopping in your car and clicking a button to open your garage door and start your day. However, winter can sometimes make this morning ritual a little more difficult because cold weather can result in garage door failure.
In this blog, the experts at Overhead Door Company of Greater Cincinnati™ will review what can cause your garage door to not open while it’s cold out and what you can do to get your garage door back to optimal performance.
Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Open When It’s Cold
1. Metal Contracts in the Cold: Springs and other metal pieces have the potential to seize up because metal contracts in colder temperatures. Lubricating the springs, hinges, rollers and other moving parts will help keep your garage door working through the winter months. We suggest using a silicone-based lubricant.
2. Hardened Grease: Grease tends to hardens in colder weather. We suggest using a grease solvent in combination of a silicone-based lubricant when maintaining the door. Use a small brush, such a firm bristle toothbrush, to work into cracks. Wipe away solvent, and apply the proper lubricant to the moving parts.
3. Worn Rollers or Warped Tracks: Take a look at your garage door track. Are the rollers worn down or misaligned in the track? Is the track itself warped? Especially in colder months, extreme temperature changes can affect the track causing both of these issues; either of which will need professional repair.
4. Broken Garage Door Springs: Metal garage door springs are more susceptible to breaking in the winter due to the drastic drop in temperature, especially if the springs themselves are already years old and towards the end of their life cycle. Repairing broken springs can be dangerous as they support the entire weight of your garage door, so only professionals should repair them.
5. Frozen Weatherseal Stripping: Temperatures drop drastically overnight and may freeze water near the base of your garage, sticking the weatherstripping to the ground. This may also damage or completely peel off the weatherseal if you manually open the door. Be sure to brush away snow or puddles from the bottom of your closed garage door at night if temperatures are expected to drop.
Can Cold Weather Affect the Garage Door Opener?
Garage door openers rely on a remote sensor to function correctly. Typically located at the bottom of the door and sometimes on the motor unit itself, a sensor communicates with the actual garage door to smoothly open and close.
While garage door opener systems are designed to withstand all weather conditions, extremely cold temperatures can cause problems. When remote sensors are exposed to freezing temperatures, they can contract and expand, which can lead to cracks and other damage. As a result, the sensor can’t link with the motor — leaving your garage door stuck.
There are ways to open your garage door when the sensor’s on the fritz. Yet, it’s important to get professional help to fix your remote sensor and entire garage door opener system. A working garage door opener provides better comfort and safety for you and your family.
How To Get Your Garage Door Open When It’s Cold Out
While professional garage door repair is the best, longest-lasting solution, here are some methods to get your garage door open when the weather is extremely cold:
- Use de-icing products or apply heat: If the garage door is simply frozen to the ground, use a de-icing solution to thaw the ice and free the door. If time is more of the essence, use a hairdryer or heat gun on a low setting to warm the area where the door is frozen.
- Manually operate the door: Every garage door should have a manual release mechanism that disconnects the door from the opener unit. It’s typically a rope with a red handle. Pull this release, and you should have no problem physically opening your garage door.
- Inspect and lubricate moving parts: The cold weather can sometimes cause metal components to be less flexible. Check your system’s springs, rollers, hinges and other moving parts to see if they’re stiff. Apply a lubricant, specifically a garage door lubricant, if you have it. This should fix a rigged garage door system.
Can You Prevent Your Garage Door From Not Opening During Winter?
No one wants to run into garage door problems, especially in the freezing cold. The best way to prevent your garage door from encountering issues due to winter weather is with regular maintenance.
Having garage door tune-ups every year or two can keep your garage in the best condition possible. An expert can identify and remedy any potential issues to ensure your garage door functions smoothly year after year.
Call Overhead Door Co. of Greater Cincinnati for Cold-Weather Garage Door Repairs
Save yourself the headache and time that can come from lingering garage door issues by counting on the area’s best garage door experts. Overhead Door Co. of Greater Cincinnati has provided quality, expertise and professional service for over 90 years.
Call (513) 394-6938 today to see how easy and affordable it can be for our highly trained technicians to inspect and protect your garage door opener.
