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As the air turns crisp and daylight hours shrink, your garage door faces extra stress from cold, moisture, and wind. Taking a few moments now to tune up seals, hardware, and electronics keeps your door working smoothly through freezing nights. At Above the Rest Garage Door Repair, in Colorado Springs, CO, we can guide you through fall and winter garage door preparation.
Lubricate Rollers, Hinges, and Tracks
Garage doors rely on smooth movement at every pivot point, and cold temperatures can thicken old lubricant or allow moisture to cause corrosion. Use a high-quality silicone or lithium-based garage door lubricant to coat rollers, hinges, and the track surface. Hold the sprayer a few inches away and apply a thin, even layer of the product. Avoid heavy oils that attract dirt and sand. After applying, cycle the door up and down several times to work the lubricant into bearings and pivot points.
Listen for any grinding or squeaking that may signal a worn component that needs replacement. If a roller wobbles or feels loose, it may have a damaged bearing sleeve. A professional technician can swap in nylon rollers that run quieter and resist corrosion better than steel. Keeping moving parts well-lubricated reduces motor strain and extends the life of hardware when temperatures drop.
Test and Adjust Door Balance
A balanced garage door takes pressure off the springs and the opener motor. With the opener disengaged, manually lift the door halfway and let go. If balanced correctly, it should stay put. If it drifts up or down, the spring tension needs adjusting. Compressed springs can break under freezing conditions, leaving your door stuck. A trained technician uses winding bars and safety gear to tweak spring tension and confirm the door moves evenly throughout its full travel.
Inspect and Clean Photo-Eye Sensors
Photo-eye sensors near the floor edge prevent the door from closing on objects or people. Snow or frost can obscure the lens, causing the opener to stall mid-cycle. Wipe each sensor with a soft cloth and mild glass cleaner to remove dirt or ice.
Check that sensors align directly across from each other without any tilt. If the door reverses as it begins to close, the sensors may still be misaligned, or wiring may be loose. A stable sensor connection prevents misreads that stop the door or leave it open when you least expect it.
Examine Springs and Hardware for Wear
Torsion and extension springs can bear heavy loads but may fail suddenly under the weight of an icy door. Visually inspect each spring for gaps in the coil or rust buildup that indicates metal fatigue. Hinges and mounting brackets deserve the same scrutiny; loose screws or bent plates could give way when the door is stiff from cold.
Examine the Opener and Battery Backup
Your opener must work hard to lift a cold, heavy door. Inspect the drive mechanism, chain, belt, or screw for signs of wear or rust. Clean lightly with a dry brush if debris collects, then lubricate according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. If your model includes a battery backup, test its readiness by cutting power to the opener. The door should still operate normally on backup power. A weak battery may not lift the door the full height, leaving it stuck partway open.
Clear Snow and Ice from Tracks and Threshold
Open up the door and look along each track for packed snow or ice. That buildup can bind rollers and cause the door to jam. Use a plastic shovel or soft brush to clear accumulations. Then, sweep a layer of ice melt or calcium chloride outside the threshold to prevent re-icing at the seal. Inside the garage, keep the floor near the track dry by placing a rubber mat to catch melting snow from cars.
Upgrade Weather Seals and Thresholds
Threshold seals attach directly to the garage floor, compressing against the door bottom for a tighter fit than the standard bottom sweep. Rubber or vinyl threshold strips press into place and lock down with screws. A high-quality threshold guards against slush, wind, and pests creeping underneath. Pair that with a heavy-duty bottom seal on the door to close any remaining gaps.
Schedule Your Garage Door Repair Appointment Today
Regular fall and winter garage door prep keeps your system working quietly through freezing months and helps you avoid emergency service calls. We also offer professional spring balance adjustments, opener tune-ups, and safety sensor replacements to round out your door care. Call Above the Rest Garage Door Repair today to book your pre-winter garage door service.
