4 April 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Winter may be a beautiful season, but it isn't without its drawbacks. During the winter, your home and garage are susceptible to damage. Fortunately, you can easily prepare for winter by winterizing your property. If you don't already winterize your garage door, you should start now.

Why?

It will help lengthen its lifespan. It will also prevent your garage from any unpleasant surprises, such as snow inside the garage.

So what steps should you take to prepare your garage door for winter? Here are four tips:

1. Change Out Batteries

Before winter hits, take a few moments to change out the batteries in your components. Even if they aren't completely dead, it can be beneficial to change them out. After all, you don't want to wind up stuck outside in the snow and ice because the batteries are dead.

The two main batteries you should change are in the remote control opener and on the keypad. Take the batteries out, purchase new ones, and replace them. That's it.

2. Inspect The Springs

Another thing you should do before Father Winter arrives is inspect the garage door springs. These springs are vital to your garage door, as they are what make the door move up and down. They also ensure that the door doesn't suddenly fall.

One easy way to check your springs is to visually inspect them. Simply open and close the door and watch the springs. If they appear worn out, you might want to disable the automatic open and close function and move it manually. Notate whether the door moves easily or not. If it doesn't, contact a professional to replace the springs.

3. Examine Weather Stripping

Since winter weather is cold, you should also take some time to examine the weather stripping. Walk around your garage and visually inspect the stripping. If it is worn out or you see gaps, you will need to re-apply it. Weather stripping that is worn or has gaps will let cold air, ice, and snow inside. This is not something you want to deal with. So if you notice that the stripping isn't in good condition, purchase more and replace it.

4. Lubricate Moving Parts

Finally, make sure you lubricate all moving parts before winter hits. Your garage door contains a lot of small moving parts that can easily break if not lubricated properly. So take your time and apply a small amount of lubricant on all moving parts including the rollers, springs, and tracks. Simply wipe the lubricant onto the part and wipe away any excess with a clean cloth. Just make sure you use an oil-based lubricant, as water-based ones may cause issues during the winter months.

Although winterizing your garage door might sound difficult, it isn't. With these four tips, you'll ensure that your garage door stays healthy and functional throughout the cold season. If you do not want to take DIY approach, or if you notice any issues with your garage door, contact a professional for help. 

For garage door repair, contact a company such as A Premier Door Corporation.