When winter and cold weather enter your neighborhood, there are a few things you have to worry about. You need to make sure your pipes don’t burst and that your plants don’t die, but another thing you might not plan for is your garage door freezing. It’s a major inconvenience that can also be dangerous, but it’s preventable. To be prepared this winter, read on to learn how to unstick and prevent a frozen garage door.
Prevention
Unsticking your garage door is not always the easiest, but thankfully, you don’t have to wait for it to freeze. Instead, take the necessary time to focus on prevention and keeping your door warm so you can avoid freezing altogether. Check out the following preventative measures and implement all of them to ensure you don’t ever need to deal with unsticking a frozen door.
Keep the Tracks Clean
To maintain the smooth operation of your garage door, keep the tracks clean. Over time, dirt, debris, and other grime can accumulate on the tracks, causing the door to stick or freeze. By regularly cleaning the tracks with a damp cloth, you can prevent this issue. Remember, a little effort in keeping the tracks clean goes a long way in preserving your garage door’s long-term functionality.
Use Lubricant
Applying a high-quality silicone-based lubricant to the tracks, rollers, hinges, and springs is a great way to prevent freezing. This extra layer of protection helps ensure smooth operation, even in colder temperatures. The lubricant helps prevent sticking and freezing, so be sure to keep all the door’s moving components covered in the substance. Care like this helps prolong the opening mechanism’s lifespan.
Check the Weather Stripping
The weather stripping at the bottom of your garage door can wear down and crack over time, especially in harsh weather conditions. This wear can lead to cold air seeping in and causing your garage door to freeze, making it difficult to open and close. To ensure optimal performance and prevent freezing, regularly inspect the weather stripping and replace it if necessary. By maintaining a tight seal, you can effectively keep out the cold.
Insulate Your Garage
If your garage doesn’t have insulation, it is more susceptible to freezing temperatures. This weakness can lead to potential damage to your car or other items in the garage, and it makes it easier for the garage door to stick. To prevent this, consider adding insulation, such as foam panels or the aforementioned weather stripping, to the walls and door. By creating a barrier against the cold, you can keep your garage and door at a more stable temperature and fight against freezing at the same time.
Check for Obstructions
Objects such as tools, toys, or debris in the way of the tracks or sensors can prevent your garage door from closing properly and cause it to stick or freeze. Regularly inspect the area around your garage door, including the floor and walls, and ensure that there are no obstacles blocking its path.
Keep the Door Closed
To maintain optimal conditions in your garage, keep the door closed when it’s not in use. By making it a habit to close the door, you can prevent cold air from entering and causing it to stick. This practice protects your belongings and enhances the overall energy efficiency of your home, helping you save on utility bills.
Unsticking
Preventative measures will help keep your door from freezing, but if your door is already frozen or your efforts slipped up, you need to know how to unstick the door. Below are several solutions you can employ to get your garage door functioning well again despite frigid temperatures.
Thaw the Door
If your garage door is already frozen shut due to cold weather conditions, you can gently thaw it using a hairdryer or heat gun. Be careful not to apply excessive heat, as it can potentially damage the door or opener. Instead, exercise patience and use gentle heat application to safely unfreeze the door and restore its functionality. The right, proportional heat can help thaw your door while still keeping it in optimal condition throughout the winter.
Use a Deicer
One effective method to combat ice buildup on your garage door is to apply a deicer. These products efficiently melt ice and prevent freezing, ensuring smooth operation. When using a deicer, carefully adhere to the product’s instructions to achieve optimal results. Additionally, take care to avoid accidentally getting the deicer on your car or other items in the garage, as it may cause damage.
Check the Batteries
If you have a remote-controlled garage door opener, make sure you check the batteries regularly to ensure proper functioning. A weak or low battery can cause the door to stick or freeze, leading to inconvenience and potential safety issues. Keep an eye on your batteries and replace them as necessary, and always check your remote for dead batteries if your door is stuck. By doing so, you can maintain the smooth operation of your garage door and avoid troubles.
Get Professional Help
While all these methods are great ways to unstick a frozen garage door, they’re not foolproof. Unfreezing a door can be a complicated and risky undertaking that you don’t want to attempt as you try to get your car out in a hurry. If you haven’t been able to get your door unstuck, it may be time to get professional help. In addition to helping unstick your garage door, professionals can help with prevention, ensuring you don’t have to deal with a frozen door in the future any time soon.
Once you learn how to unstick and prevent a frozen garage door, you can stay safe in the cold weather and avoid the headaches that these frozen garage doors bring. However, if problems persist with your door, don’t hesitate to get the Pittsburgh garage door professionals, Steel City Garage Doors, on your side. Our years of experience and know-how will help keep your garage door in proper working order, giving you the peace of mind you deserve.
How To Unstick And Prevent A Frozen Garage Door
