The holiday season is almost here! You know what that means: extravagant family dinners, dazzling Christmas lights, carefully wrapped presents and…cold temperatures. When the mercury drops, ice and snow can hamper the mechanical abilities of our equipment, freezing moving objects such as the windows on our vehicles and the doors to our garages.
Not everything about the winter months is wonderful but if you are prepared for the sub-zero temperatures and the possibility of snow, you will be able to focus on what really matters- the Christmas cookies and celebrations!
Follow these 5 Alpha Door tips to keep prevent a frozen garage door this winter.
1.Properly Shovel Snow and Ice
One of the most effective prevention methods is also the easiest to implement. When you wake up to a blanket of snow, you should should shovel your driveway, sidewalks and pathways as soon as possible. If snow is left sitting and the temperature dips lower, it can become rock hard and extremely difficult to later remove. When you are removing the snow and ice from your driveway, don’t forget to give the area around your garage door some extra love. It is imperative that you remove all of the ice and snow from the area where the door meets the ground and dry it if possible. If excessive water or moisture is left in the area it could quickly form into an icy seal that could prevent your garage door from opening and potentially even damage some of the components.
2.Utilize Salt in Front of the Door
A great companion to your shovelling efforts is salt. When it comes to melting ice, nothing is better because salt acts as a freezing point depressor. Essentially, salt lowers the freezing point and the melting point of water. Any water that is on your driveway or around your garage door will normally freeze when the temperature reaches 0°C or 32°F but if you apply salt to the area, water will not freeze or re-freeze as easily.
3. Garage Door Weather Seals
The weather stripping on your garage door is the seal that stops the elements from entering through the opening. The weatherstripping on the garage door has a tough job, constantly being exposed to the extremes- cold weather, hot weather, moisture etc. Overtime this stripping can become damaged and brittle which will allow cold air and water to make its way between the frame and the door. Once this occurs, any icy layer can materialize, cementing your door in place. Replace your seal when required and keep the cold air and water outside where it belongs. Need help with the repairs or modification of your garage door? Give the Alpha Team a call and have it fixed ASAP.
4. Garage Door Lubricant
Before the cold weather sets in, give your garage door a tune up with a lubricating spray. A spray, like National 400-HD Door Lubricant will drop the freezing point of water and keep all the components of your door operating smoothly. Apply liberally to the door’s hinges, rollers and tracks.
5. Garage Door Heaters
Installing a heater in your garage can help prevent the door from freezing but it also turns your garage door into a useable area in the winter months! You can instal a gas heater but will likely need some assistance with the gas hook up and exhaust units. If you choose to go with an electrical heater, it will be much easier to install but your energy bill will be much higher.
If you follow these 5 steps, your garage door should be ice-proof all winter long. The cold weather does put a large strain on other garage door components, so be sure to keep our number at hand in case you run into any issues with your rollers, cables or springs.
Get in touch with your garage door specialists today to keep your door running smoothly all winter long!