Your garage door is one of the most significant moving parts in your household, and, like any mechanical system, it can be affected by weather changes or temperature swings. Whether it is the frigid cold of winter or the humidity of summer, differences in conditions may cause your door to act up. Many of the service calls we get at Durham Garage Door Guys are easily preventable, and at least some are 100% related to seasonal changes. Here’s what you need to know — and how to keep problems from happening in the first place.
1. Cold Weather Can Cause Metal Components to Contract
Metal parts like springs, tracks and hinges can shrink when it gets cold out. This shrinkage may make your door stiffer, thereby increasing the work the opener has to do. At these temperatures, lube will thicken and move even more slowly.
Pro Tip: In winter months, apply a high-quality silicone-based lubricant designed for cold weather to keep your door opening and closing smoothly.
2. Heat and Humidity Affect Wooden and Vinyl Doors
Wooden garage doors will swell or warp in high humidity during the summer. Vinyl doors are resistant to such swelling, but they can still swell slightly in hot weather, going out of alignment and causing the door to rub against its tracks.
Maintenance tip: Periodically test the balance and alignment of your door throughout the changing seasons. Scheduling a professional tune-up now can prevent damage later on down the line.
3. Temperature Swings Impact Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are always under tension. Alternating expansion and contraction due to temperature changes can weaken it over time, increasing the risk of snapping. That’s why springs usually break when the seasons change to and from freezing.
Safety note: Don’t try to repair a broken spring yourself — it’s dangerous. For safe replacements, consult a certified technician.
4. Cold Weather Can Affect the Garage Door Opener
What factors affect? Electric openers can struggle to open in low temperatures because the lubricants inside the motor thicken. The batteries in wireless remotes or keypads also lose their charge more quickly when it’s cold.
Quick Fix: Swap regular batteries in your remotes; keep an eye out for slower response time from your opener.
5. Moisture and Ice Can Interfere with Door Seals
Lean down to inspect the seal at the bottom of your garage door: all too often, rain, snow, and ice get caked in this spot, or mildew builds over time when the seal malfunctions. Cold air and humidity can creep into your garage, tampering with insulation and comfort.
Preventative Tip: Check and replace damaged weatherstripping to keep your home sealed tight year-round.
6. Wind and Storm Damage Can Misalign Tracks
High winds and storms may stress door panels and tracks. Even slight misalignment can cause jerky motion or a grating noise as you open or close the door.
Solution: Get your tracks checked out after heavy storms so you know you’re on the right track.
Keep Your Garage Door Weather-Ready with Expert Care
Weather changes are inevitable — but garage door issues don’t have to be. That’s because routine checks and regular tune-ups can dramatically increase the longevity and performance of your door.
At Durham Garage Door Guys, we provide professional garage door repair, maintenance, and replacement services so that folks in Durham can enjoy the peace of mind that a functioning garage door offers year-round.
Need a checkup before the next time it gets cold?
Call Durham Garage Door Guys now for reliable preventive maintenance and winterization of your garage door.
