5 Reasons Your Garage Door May Be Stuck This Winter

The cold temperatures take a toll on just about everything, including your garage door. Whether your garage door is stuck, runs loudly, or other has operating issues, it’s likely that the frigid weather is a contributing factor. Here are five common issues your garage door may encounter during the winter. 

Condensation on Your Photo Eyes

Most garage door openers operate have set of photo eyes that detect any objects that are in the path of the door as it’s closing. If there is moisture in the air and the temperature drops, frozen condensation can build up on the photo eyes, causing them to stop the door from operating. If your door is reversing, not closing all the way, or not operating at all, check your photo eyes for buildup. You can fix the problem by simply wiping off and realigning the photo eyes. 

Frozen Doorframe

As snow, ice, and frost collect, they can cause your door to stick to the floor or door frame. Check the perimeter and base of your garage door frame for buildup that may be frozen. You can use salt, hot water, or even your hair dryer to help thaw the trouble areas. Don’t try to operate your door if it is stuck, as this may cause serious mechanical issues.

Contracted Metal Parts

Most of your garage door system is made up of metal, which contracts in cold weather. This can cause your system to operate poorly or seize up entirely. To address this issue, try greasing the springs, hinges, and rollers with a silicone-based lubricant. This will reduce the friction on the parts and help your system to work smoothly throughout the cold months ahead. Depending on the level of moisture in the air, you may need to reapply the lubricant multiple times over the course of the winter.

Thickened Grease

Cold temperatures can cause the grease in your system to thicken. This can impair the movement of your door or even prevent it from moving at all. To resolve this issue, use a solvent to remove the grease. Then, add a silicone-based lubricant as described in the section above. 

Broken Garage Door Springs

Your garage door springs are a major part of the operating system. Your springs will only last a certain number of cycles, and if they are nearing the end of their life, the extra stress from the winter may cause them to break. If your springs are broken, bent, or warped, you will need to contact a professional to have new ones installed. Do not attempt to repair or replace the springs on your own as this can be very dangerous and cause serious injury.

If your garage door is having trouble this winter, contact Doors by George. Our team of garage door professionals can inspect your garage door system, address the problem, and get your door functioning smoothly again in no time. In an emergency, call our 24-hour service line at (319) 377-6756. For all of your garage door needs, trust Doors by George!