It’s not only people who require a little extra TLC in the winter. Many of your home’s component systems also can benefit from a pre-season checkup and a few ongoing precautions to keep them functioning properly.
Winter’s cold weather, winds, snow and ice can interfere with garage door operation, but homeowners with a plan can lessen the effects of severe winter weather. Here are some basic tips to assure that your garage door will continue to perform well, even though the weather outside is frightful!
Start with the Garage Space
You might want to begin by scheduling a serious weekend cleanup and organizing party in your garage. Fall is the best time to take stock of all of the clutter that has accumulated. This is also the time to pack up and tote away whatever is outgrown, broken, unwanted or in need of repair. Try to get as much as possible off the floor and stow what you can in cabinets or on shelves. Hang sports gear, bicycles and tools. Examine containers of liquids that might freeze in below-zero temperatures. If you must store liquids in the garage, be sure to either insulate the containers, or store needed liquids in containers that won’t crack or shatter. Be wary of poisons or hazardous materials that can spill or ooze.
Assess the winter readiness of the garage itself. Check weatherstrippping around doors and windows, then examine the wiring and plug any penetrations to eliminate drafts and keep critters at bay. Look for missing or damaged shingles on the roof.
Winter Garage Door Maintenance
As part of your garage cleanup, be sure to check the seal and alignment of the garage door. If you can see light through the door, either around the perimeter or between the panels, you might be able to solve the problem by adding weatherstripping, but if it’s not a simple DIY job, call for professional service.
Winter is the season when proper garage door operation is a must.
Check to be certain that rails are properly aligned and not bent or skewed, that safety sensors are functioning properly, and that the door mechanism operates smoothly, with no squeaks, rattles or vibration. Your service professional at Overhead Door Company of Wilmington is your best bet for winter peace of mind. One call will suffice to schedule a check of all moving parts, so that anything that might cause a problem can be repaired or replaced.
Once the season arrives, you’ll want to check regularly that snow and ice don’t build up around the door’s threshold, and that melting snow and water from your vehicle aren’t allowed to interfere with your door’s operation.
