It’s early morning and you’re ready to leave for work, only to discover that your garage door is frozen shut. You wonder, why is my garage door not working in the cold? It’s obvious the freezing temps and snow, sleet, and ice are wreaking havoc on your door. When the temperature dips, moisture can accumulate around the door frame. The door rubs against the frame causing the frame to warp, so the door won’t open or close or operates jerky when it does.
6 Common Causes of Garage Door Malfunctions in Cold Weather
There are many other reasons you will experience cold weather garage door problems.
1. Worn Rubber Seals
The rubber at the bottom of your garage door is worn and no longer effective. It could be cracked, a piece broken off or dangling. Sleet and snow can get between the bottom of the door and rubber causing it to freeze so the door can’t be opened or closed. If melting snow pools near the door when it’s below zero, the door may freeze shut. Remember to check your weatherstripping around the door to make sure it’s secure and doing the job.
2. Thick Lubricants
The lubricant in the track can become thick and gummy when the temperature drops. This can create garage door issues in winter and affect the way the door opens or closes. To prevent this, schedule a tune-up / maintenance appointment in the fall.
3. Contracting Springs
Your garage door springs are a vital part of your door’s operation. They contract in colder temperatures, and put the metal under more strain which could cause them to break. If you hear your door ‘slamming’ to the ground, or it is too heavy to lift on your own, you’ll know the springs have broken.
4. Remote Control Issues
Other reasons why your door is stuck or inoperable in the cold may have to do with your remote control. Check the batteries since moisture can build up on the contacts, causing remote control failure. This is also true for your outside keypad.
5. Fogged Photo Eyes
The cold weather can fog up the photo eyes (sensors), altering their view and causing them to respond to the condensation as a hindrance. They can also detect hardened lubricant as an obstacle, another reason why the door may bounce up when it closes.
6. Frozen Panels
If your garage door has multiple panels, moisture may seep in between them and freeze. When they become frozen, they cannot bend, inhibiting the door from opening.
Call Aladdin Doors for Winter Maintenance
If you find yourself stuck in your garage with no way to open your garage door in winter weather, call Aladdin Doors today at (877) 366-7247. We offer same-day appointments when possible and would love to meet you and your garage door.
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