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Few occurrences can make the winter worse than a broken garage door. Your car is either left in the cold and snow or trapped inside your garage and inaccessible. At that point, there’s little you can do until you get it repaired or replaced. It’s important to take preventative steps to keep your garage door lasting throughout the winter. The following guide outlines five tips to ensure longevity.

5 Garage Door Maintenance Tips for the Winter

1. Schedule Routine Maintenance

Hire a professional look over everything before the winter weather arrives to make sure that everything is in working condition. All moving parts should be running properly. During the winter, you can continue doing maintenance on your own by clearing snow and ice away from the garage door to prevent freezing.

2. Inspect Infrared Eye

Garage door sensors are safety measures installed in every mechanism to prevent accidents. It’s crucial the infrared eye isn’t impeded or damaged during any time of the year, but it can be more susceptible during the winter. Cold weather brings in mice seeking warmth, which can lead to chewed-up wires if you’re not careful. Road salt tracked in from cars can corrode wires as well. For these reasons, wires should be kept off the ground. You should also make sure there are no leaves, debris, snow, or dirt blocking the lens of the sensor.  

3. Replace Batteries

garage doorTo avoid having to trek to the front door in the cold and open the garage from inside the house, check on the batteries in your remote and keypad. If the door opens after a few tries, the batteries are still functioning but about to go out. 

4. Clean Up

If your garage door is having a difficult time opening and closing, it’s possible that clogged-up tracks from grease and grime are the cause. Clean the tracks and rollers routinely to promote smooth movement. Additionally, the doors themselves should be cleaned to keep hinges from rusting and collecting buildup. While you’re cleaning the bottom, inspect the weatherstripping for cracks, wear, tears, and other indications it might need to be replaced.

5. Lubricate

After cleaning, you should lubricate all moving parts, including rollers, tracks, bearings, bushings, and hinges. This will keep the garage door running properly and prevent cold weather from stiffening the parts. Ensure you’re using the appropriate amount of lubricant, as an excess can cause slippage, buildup, or misalignment. 

 

If you need garage door maintenance before the coldest of winter, contact Libby’s Expert Door Installations in Millmont, PA. This full-service company also provides efficient garage door installation. Their highly skilled technicians work tirelessly to discover your best options on a schedule that’s convenient for you. For more information on their services, call (570) 922-1602 or visit their website.

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