You might not think it, but your garage door needs some help to survive the winter months, just like we need to wrap up warm. Now that we’re entering a cold period, it’s more important than ever that you keep your garage door well-maintained so it survives the last part of winter.
Lubrication
The best way to make sure that your garage door keeps working through the winter is by lubricating it with the correct type of lubrication. Be careful not to apply too much lubrication, because you can actually cause long-term harm to the door if you overdo it. By lubricating the working parts of the garage door, you’ll keep them all moving and working well, so you don’t have any problems with opening it in the future.
Keep using the garage door
If you only use your garage for storing belongings, you might not open your garage door for weeks or even months at a time. But this can cause your door to seize up, especially during the winter when it’s cold and damp. Try to open the door at least every few days, which will keep it working well and also allow you to spot issues and deal with them as they occur.
Clean the weather stripping
The weather stripping goes around the frame of your garage door, and you should clean it with some water and a cloth to ensure that there are no cracks or damage. If there are any cracks, make sure you get it replaced to prevent draughts and water getting into your garage. If you’re confident in DIY, you might even be able to do this yourself.
Ensure the door is sealed or painted
If you have a wood garage door, it’s imperative that you have it painted with weatherproof paint or sealant. Even if your garage door is made from a different material, you should be able to get weatherproof sealant to protect it from the cold and damp.
Watch over it
Don’t ignore your garage door. Keep an eye on your garage door so you can deal with small problems as they occur, instead of only discovering them when they become major problems that are more difficult to solve. Whatever the time of year, the moment you spot an issue get it fixed, so your door is always in good working order and is safe from the wintry weather causing lasting damage.
If you keep your garage door well-maintained all year round, you have a much better chance of it carrying on working during the winter. You’ll also prevent any long-term damage, which could end up with you needing a brand new door, so just keep a watchful eye all year round to keep it in great condition.