Cold weather is hard on garage doors
Freezing temperatures thicken lubricant, contract metal, and stiffen springs — which is exactly why we get our busiest stretch of spring and cable failures in the dead of winter. A little maintenance in the fall goes a long way. Here's the checklist we walk customers through.
1. Lubricate the moving parts
Use a garage-door-specific lithium or silicone spray on the springs, rollers, hinges, and bearings. Avoid WD-40 — it's a degreaser, not a lubricant, and it attracts grime.
2. Tighten the hardware
The vibration of daily use loosens bolts and brackets over a year. Snug down the roller brackets and track bolts (don't overtighten).
3. Check the door balance
Disconnect the opener and lift the door halfway by hand. It should stay put. If it slams down or flies up, your springs are out of balance — call us before they fail.
4. Inspect the rollers
Worn or cracked rollers make the door noisy and rough. Nylon rollers are a cheap, quiet upgrade worth considering.
5. Test the safety reverse
Place a roll of paper towels under the door and close it. It should reverse on contact. Also wave an object through the photo-eye beam — the door should stop and reverse.
6. Replace the weather seal
A cracked bottom seal lets in cold air, snowmelt, and pests. A fresh seal is inexpensive and makes a big difference in a cold garage.
7. Clear and inspect the tracks
Remove debris and check for dents or bends. Bent tracks bind the rollers and strain the opener.
8. Listen
Grinding, popping, and scraping are your door telling you something. Catching it early turns a $-tune-up into a saved emergency call in January.
Don't want to do it yourself?
We offer professional tune-ups that cover every point above. It's the cheapest insurance there is against a frozen-morning breakdown.
Book a winter tune-up: 720-600-2043.
Need a hand with your garage door?
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