Getting ready for winter involves more than just hunkering inside your home; it’s also about winterizing your entire property. Most people forget about their garage door even though it is arguably the most important feature that secures your house’s integrity all through the winter month. A garage door that is not cared for properly during the winter months can cause a number of problems, such as drafts and freezing mechanisms, as well as unreasonably high energy bills. This guide will discuss how to prepare your garage door to withstand severe frostbite the next time it gets out of fashion. So, Have You Properly Winterized Your Garage Door? Let’s get into it.

7 Ways To Winterize Your Garage Door For This Season

 Inspect and lubricate moving parts

To winterize your garage door for the season, you must focus on maintaining and lubricating its moving parts. Begin with the movement and placement of the door and check for cracks on the hinges or worn-out rollers that may affect functionality during the colder months.

Clean the dirt or debris that has built up in these areas as they can also restrict movement. Thrones can rust, and hinges can freeze under harsh winter weather, so once inspected, it is ideal to ensure smooth operation by applying silicone-based lubricant on the hinges and the rollers.

Check and replace weather stripping

One of the best ways to winterize your garage door this season is to inspect and change the weather stripping. Weather stripping often gets older, breaks, or becomes loose with time, letting cold air, fog, or even snow get in your garage.

Check the elastic material at the bottom and sides to ensure no spaces are left between the weather stripping and the rest of the door leaves. Are there areas with worn weather stripping or spaces devoid of the strip? Remove it and replace it with a better-quality weather stripping that is close fitting.

Seal gaps and cracks around the door frame

One of the primary tasks when winterizing your garage door is closing any door frame gaps. Such gaps can provide a cold draft, reducing your garage’s energy efficiency and possibly affecting the rest of the house. Inspect the edges of your garage doors thoroughly to check for gaps or cracks.

If there are any such gaps, fill them with a weather strip or caulking to prevent any openings. Although simple, this task is quite important as it improves insulation and shields the garage walls against moisture and dirt, making it more pleasant during the snowy and cold winter.

Test the garage door opener and remote

For this winter, it is necessary to test the garage door opener first and inspect the remote to know how to operate the door in winter. The first step should be checking the remote once and confirming/ changing the battery if necessary.

Next, use the remote to operate the garage door and see if the door opens and closes without delays or strange sounds. Look for strange grinding or squeaking sounds; these are usually signs that the opener requires lubrication or servicing.

Clear the area of snow and ice

Another step in winterizing your garage door for the season is to remove snow and ice from the surrounding areas. Snow generally causes moisture content to accumulate, which may lead to rust and erosion with time, while ice will create boundaries, which will be problematic for seamless door operation.

Grab a shovel and start removing snow cover or apply ice melt products to the door and track area to prevent them from future accumulation. It is important to keep the surrounding area of the door clear as it improves how the door operates and enhances safety whenever one is going in or out of the garage.

Ensure proper insulation for the garage

Proper insulation is vital when preparing your garage door for the season to offer a comfortable atmosphere and reduce energy waste. First, inspect the separately applied insulation on a garage door; if there is no poor performance insulation, you may want to put insulation panels or a door with a higher value due to the enhanced thermal efficiency.

To enhance durability, insulating your garage door will regulate the temperature, keeping the cold air out and warm air in, and this is especially needed if you use your garage for work or as additional storage.

Consider a professional inspection

In order to winterize your garage door for the winter season, the first step would be to look into having a garage door inspected by a professional since this will enhance performance and longevity. The door’s mechanical parts, such as springs, cables, rollers, and seals, should be in good condition, as a trained technician would highlight any problems that might arise during the winter season.

They will also be able to oil some moving parts to avoid freezing, adjust moving parts to function normally, and check for any openings on the parts that could let cold air or moisture through.

Wrapping Up

Winterizing your garage door is an essential part of maintenance as it helps ensure the garage door functions smoothly in the winter. You should put effort into inspecting and maintaining your garage door beforehand, as it can help avoid problems and increase energy efficiency. Even easy tasks like sealing, adding grease to the moving parts, and checking insulation, can drastically improve the performance of your garage door in extreme temperatures. Also, timely maintenance secures your investment and helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside your garage.

Author’s Bio

As a content marketing specialist, Liz fully invests in creating visually appealing and comfortable living environments for all. She possesses the ability to communicate, which enables her to present any concept or idea in an uncomplicated way, enhancing the design capabilities of individuals. Currently, Liz is working with garage door repair lakewood, where she educates on the appropriate choice, installation, and nature of modern garage doors to help homeowners improve their property aesthetics.