6 min read Garage Door Burlington
The Pacific Northwest winter brings unique challenges for garage doors. While we don't experience the extreme cold of northern states, our region's combination of cold temperatures, heavy rainfall, occasional freezing conditions, and persistent moisture creates conditions that can stress garage door systems. Proper winter preparation helps prevent problems and ensures reliable operation throughout the season.
Our region's winters are characterized by:
Persistent Moisture: Rain is our constant companion from fall through spring. This moisture affects weatherstripping, can cause rust on metal components, and may lead to wood rot on wooden doors.
Temperature Fluctuations: Pacific Northwest winters often swing between the 30s and 50s Fahrenheit, sometimes in the same day. These fluctuations cause materials to expand and contract repeatedly, potentially loosening hardware and affecting door alignment.
Occasional Freezing: While extended freezes are relatively rare, we do experience frost and occasional ice storms. Garage doors can freeze to the ground, and mechanisms can seize if not properly prepared.
Wind Exposure: Coastal and mountain communities experience strong winter winds that stress garage door systems and can drive rain into areas usually protected from moisture.
Before winter arrives, conduct a thorough inspection of your garage door system:
The weatherstripping around your garage door is your first defense against winter conditions. Inspect all seals:
Bottom Seal: This rubber seal along the door's bottom edge keeps water, cold air, and pests out. Look for cracks, gaps, or areas where the seal doesn't contact the ground evenly. Replace if damaged.this is an easy DIY project.
Side and Top Seals: Check the weatherstripping along the door frame. These seals prevent drafts and water intrusion. Look for deterioration, gaps, or areas where the seal has pulled away from the frame.
Threshold Seal: Consider adding a threshold seal to the garage floor if you don't have one. This creates a watertight barrier where the door meets the ground, preventing water from seeping in during heavy rains.
Check all visible hardware:
Hinges and Brackets: Look for rust, loose screws, or signs of wear. Tighten any loose hardware and consider replacing rusted components.
Rollers: Inspect rollers for wear and smooth operation. Worn rollers can cause the door to bind, especially in cold weather when lubricants thicken.
Springs and Cables: Visual inspection only.never touch these components. Look for rust, gaps in spring coils, or frayed cables. If you notice issues, schedule professional service before winter.
Tracks: Ensure tracks are clean, properly aligned, and securely mounted. Remove any debris or buildup that could interfere with door movement.
Examine the door panels themselves:
Steel Doors: Look for scratches, dents, or areas where paint has chipped away. Touch up these areas to prevent rust.
Wood Doors: Check for peeling paint or stain, cracks, or signs of moisture damage. Address any issues before winter rains arrive.
Weathered Areas: Pay special attention to the bottom of the door, which is most exposed to moisture and splash-back from rain.
Proper lubrication is especially important in winter. Cold temperatures can cause lubricants to thicken, increasing friction and stress on components. Before winter:
Use the Right Lubricant: Choose a silicone-based or lithium-based garage door lubricant designed for cold weather. These lubricants remain effective at lower temperatures.
Apply to All Moving Parts: Lubricate hinges, rollers, springs, and the opener's chain or screw mechanism.
Don't Forget the Lock: If your garage door has a manual lock, lubricate the keyhole and mechanism with graphite lubricant.
Clean Before Lubricating: Wipe away old lubricant and any accumulated grime before applying fresh lubricant.
While extended freezes are uncommon in the Pacific Northwest, preparation prevents problems when they do occur:
Water accumulating under the door can freeze, bonding the bottom seal to the concrete. Prevent this by:
- Ensuring good drainage around your garage door, Applying a thin layer of cooking spray or silicone spray to the bottom seal before freezing weather, Keeping salt or ice melt on hand for the garage door threshold area
If your door does freeze to the ground, never force it open. Doing so can damage the seal, strain the opener, and potentially damage the door. Instead, apply ice melt to the frozen area and wait for it to release.
Cold weather affects garage door openers:
- Batteries in remotes and keypads lose power faster in cold conditions. Replace batteries before winter. - Some older openers struggle in very cold weather. If your opener has been sluggish, consider upgrading. - Keep your opener's emergency release accessible. If power goes out during a freeze, you may need manual operation.
Winter is the time when garage insulation matters most. If your garage is attached to your home, an uninsulated garage door can significantly impact your heating bills.
Consider Insulated Doors: If your current door lacks insulation, winter is a great time to upgrade. Insulated doors (R-8 to R-16) can reduce heat transfer by 70% or more compared to non-insulated doors.
DIY Insulation Kits: For a more economical option, retrofit insulation kits can add R-4 to R-8 insulation to existing doors. This is a manageable DIY project.
Seal Air Leaks: Even with an insulated door, air leaks around the perimeter waste energy. Ensure all weatherstripping is in good condition.
Consider scheduling professional maintenance before winter. A technician can:
- Inspect and adjust spring tension, Verify safety feature operation, Identify developing problems before they cause failures, Perform lubrication and adjustments, Ensure proper balance and smooth operation
Professional maintenance is particularly important if your door is older, has been experiencing issues, or if it's been more than a year since the last service.
Once winter arrives, stay vigilant:
- Check weatherstripping periodically, especially after storms, Clear debris from tracks and the area around the door, Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate developing problems, Test safety features monthly, Clear snow and ice promptly if accumulation occurs
Winter preparation may seem like a lot of work, but it's far easier and less expensive than dealing with a failed garage door during a winter storm. The unique challenges of Pacific Northwest winters.persistent moisture, temperature swings, and occasional freezing.make proper preparation especially important.
Need help preparing your garage door for winter? Contact Garage Door Burlington for a professional winter tune-up. Our technicians will ensure your door is ready to handle whatever our Pacific Northwest winter delivers.