It's Stuck: 3 Problems That Can Affect Your Garage Door During The Winter
When it's freezing outside, the last thing you want to deal with is a broken garage door. Unfortunately, garage doors tend to experience the most problems during the winter. Luckily, most of the problems that affect garage doors are minor issues that can be remedied with a few quick fixes. Here are a few common garage door problems you might face during the winter.
Your Garage Door is Stuck
If you've pushed the button on your garage door but it's refusing to budge, there are a couple of issues you could be looking at. Check your door for the problems listed below.
Frozen Seal
If the weather has dipped into the freezing range, chances are good that the rubber seal at the bottom of your door has frozen to the ground. If that's the case, you'll need to carefully pry the seal away from the concrete. Don't exert too much force, or you could destroy the seal. Place a piece of wood along the lower edge of your garage door. A long 2 x 4 will work best. Using your hammer, tap the 2 x 4 until you loosen the ice.
Jammed Joints
If the seal isn't frozen but the door still won't open, your joints could be jammed. This is particularly true if you haven't lubricated the joints in a while. Apply a generous amount of spray lubricant to the joints, and try your door again. The lubrication should allow your door to move freely.
Dead Batteries
If you've had a few days of freezing temperatures, the batteries in your remote control may have lost their charge. Replace the batteries in your remote control, and give your door another try.
Your Sensors Aren't Working
During bouts of freezing weather, garage door sensors can have a difficult time working properly. If your sensors have stopped working, you need to fix the problem quickly. First, wipe the sensor lenses with a clean cloth. Condensation can form on the lenses, which can stop the sensors from detecting movement. Next, adjust the sensors to account for possible movement. This step is particularly important if you have pets in the garage. They may have accidentally bumped into the sensors, causing them to become misaligned. If the problem persists, you'll need to have the sensors inspected by a garage door service as soon as possible.
Your Door Is Jumping the Tracks
If your garage door is jumping the tracks, you need to take a close look at the tracks themselves. Water, oil, and debris can collect on the tracks, causing your garage door to lose traction. Water can be a real problem during the winter because it can freeze, leaving an icy surface for your garage door to move across. Take a few minutes to wipe your tracks off with a damp cloth, and then try your door again.