Winter and its’ long, cold months can take a toll on many areas of the average home, and garage doors are no different. To keep your garage door functioning well over the winter season, it’s recommended to have a garage door specialist or technician, carry out a service to check for any potential problems, prevent them from occurring, and fix any existing issues before the harsh weather sets in. However, there are a few tips you can also follow yourself to keep your garage door in tip top condition in time for winter:
- Check your brush weather strip/seal
Strips of brush or vinyl that may have been put in place surrounding the garage door, to prevent warm air from escaping, can be checked to ensure that they’re in good condition. These strips are inexpensive, so if they’re looking a bit weathered and worn, simply replace them before winter.
- Make sure the photo eye is functioning
Aligned properly and 6 inches off the floor with a green/yellow LED light, the photo eye should be checked for obstructions.
- Carry out a safety reversal test
Using a towel or similar item, you can test whether your garage door’s reversal function is working properly.
- Lubricate any moving parts
Rollers and hinges should be lubricated to help them work better, but make sure not to grease the track that the door runs up and down on. If in doubt about this, or any other tip listed, simply call up your local licensed locksmith and ask if they can come out and assess your garage door. While lubricating, you can also check that the rollers and hinges aren’t showing any signs of damage or wear; if so, you’ll need to have them professionally replaced before they cause further damage.
- Check all cables
If you spot any wear and tear such as fraying on the cables, you should have a garage door professional come and check them out, and if necessary, repair or replace them.
- Check the condition of the operator cable or belt
This is the device usually attached to the ceiling that runs your garage door up and down, and if it’s a chain operator, a garage door specialist such as your local, licensed locksmith, will need to check the condition and function of the cable it uses; the same applies for a belt drive operator.
It always pays to keep a close eye on your garage door on the run up to winter, as there’s nothing worse than a malfunction due to the cold weather, that could have been prevented with proper and timely maintenance and servicing by a garage door technician or your local locksmith.
