It is essential to protect your garage door during winter; otherwise there is a great possibility of freezing rain, snow, or ice oozing into your garage through the door. A little attention to your garage door can help in averting the menace associated with the weather experienced in winter.
The following garage door repair tips could be useful to protect your garage:
1. Deal With Debris
You should remove accumulated debris from the exterior of your garage door to prevent damages that can be caused by rust or hinges that are clogged; you can do this by use of a concoction of readily available household cleaning detergents. Furthermore, accumulated debris at the outer side of your garage door can prevent the door from opening.
2. Fix the Ceiling
The ceiling adjacent to your garage windows should be repaired in case of rifts or fractures. This is because the wind can blow in snow or rain water, which can cause havoc in your garage or even loosen window frames on the door and cause the glass to fall and break, posing addition risk of injury.
3. Replace the Batteries
Garages doors that are remotely controlled can be irritating if the batteries on the remote control are dead or weak, as they may fail to respond. Always ensure that the batteries are strong enough at all times to ease opening and closing of the door.
4. Monitor the Door
You should also be observant at the opening and closing speed or loudness of your garage door, as any inconsistencies could be an indicator that something is wrong.
5. Install PVC
You can fit your garage door with PVC to stop molding at the upper side of the door. When it is properly placed, it is effective in locking out gaps and preventing snow or ice getting through. It is also a suitable material, as PVC is weather resistant and durable.
6. Check the Weather Stripping
The weather stripping you use at the bottom of the door should be examined for any form of damages like fissures, fractures, or breaks. If any of these is present you should repair or replace it immediately, because it is essential in keeping snow or water out of the garage. Furthermore, broken weather stripping may increase energy consumption and hence the electricity cost of your home.
7. Use Silicone Spray
In addition to using functioning weather stripping you should spray a layer of silicone at the bottom to stop it from attaching to the ground. The same can also be applied to the panel to stop frost accumulation.
8. Maintain Torsion Springs
Dislodged or broken torsion springs and cables should be promptly and properly broken or repaid, as unfitting adjustments can lead to malfunctioning, which poses an injury hazard to you. Remember that these are the main components that aid in the closing and opening of the garage door.
9. Keep Moving Parts Greased
It is important that you grease moving parts of a garage door, but it is worth noting that too much grease build-up can hasten the rate of wear and tear of the moving parts. Therefore, you should wipe out any excess grease from the hinges, rollers, or tracks using a piece of cloth immersed in a household detergent. Also, avoid oiling or greasing components of the garage door that are made of plastic materials.
10. Add Insulation
Some garage doors are made of steel and it is important that you insulate them. The easiest and most adaptable ones are those made of fiberglass and backed with foil (i.e. batt). The more insulation material you use, the better the level of insulation, although at additional costs.
With these ten tips in mind, you should be able to keep the garage door 100% operational throughout the winter.
