Seasonal Garage Door Maintenance: Preparing for Winter and Summer

As the seasons change, it’s important to properly maintain your garage door for optimal performance throughout the year. Ignoring seasonal maintenance can lead to damage, safety issues, and eventually expensive repairs down the line. With a few simple adjustments twice a year, you can prolong the life of your garage door and avoid hassles when you need it most.

Winterizing Your Garage Door

The harsh winter weather can wreak havoc on garage door components if not properly cared for. Here are some key steps to take before the cold sets in:

Lubricate Moving Parts 

Squeaky or sticking doors in winter are usually caused by a lack of lubrication. Apply silicone spray to rollers, hinges, and tracks to keep everything moving smoothly in freezing conditions. This prevents accumulation of snow, ice, and moisture.

Tighten/Adjust Components

Cold weather can cause metal parts to contract and loosen. Inspect screws, bolts, and tracks for any gaps. Tighten as needed to maintain a proper seal. Also, check springs and cables for signs of wear. 

Inspect Seals and Sweeps

Cracked or damaged door seals and bottom seals allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter. To improve energy efficiency, replace or repair them before winter. Also, worn door sweeps that no longer form a tight boundary along the garage floor should be replaced.

Test Emergency Release

Ensure the manual release mechanism is not frozen, and you can easily disengage the door in a power outage. Cut back any foliage or debris that may interfere. 

Summer Maintenance Tips

Rising temperatures bring their own share of door issues. Here are some summer essentials:

Relube Moving Components

Lubrication is still important despite heat and UV rays. Reapply silicone spray to rollers, hinges, and tracks. This prevents squeaks and minimizes friction when the door is in constant use.

Inspect Struts/Springs 

Springs and gas struts counterbalance the weight of an overhead door. Inspect them for corrosion, cracks, or looseness that could lead to failure under high summer temps. Replace as needed. 

Check Cable Tension

Cables may have stretched with regular opening/closing cycles. Have a pro check tension and re-adjust if slack occurs. Loose cables compromise safety.

Clean Tracks and Rollers

Built-up grime is more apparent and problematic in hot weather. Vacuum out tracks and wipe down rollers to ensure smooth operation sans friction or binding. 

Touch up Paint As Needed

Over time, the sun’s rays can cause fading and rust on unprotected surfaces like tracks and doors. To maintain an appealing aesthetic, reapply a coat of matching paint. 

Proper seasonal garage door care is key to long-term performance and safety. Small adjustments twice a year can yield big returns in reliability and reduced repair costs down the road. Contact Sam’s Garage Doors today for all your garage door needs, including installation, repair, and maintenance in Surrey and Coquitlam. As locally trusted experts, we can inspect your door, recommend necessary seasonal work, and complete the job promptly. Reach out today!