As Chicago winters approach, it’s essential to get your garage ready for the freezing temperatures and snow. A properly maintained garage can help protect your vehicle, belongings, and garage door system from winter damage. Follow these steps to ensure your garage stays in top shape throughout the cold months.
Winter Preparation Tips
From your friends at Robert’s Garage Door Professionals, here are some ways to prepare your garage for the winter months that lie ahead. And you don’t have to spend a lot to accomplish that!
Organize and Rotate Seasonal Items
Before winter arrives, rotate your seasonal items. Move summer gear like lawnmowers and gardening tools to the back of the garage, and bring winter essentials—shovels, salt, and snow blowers—to a more accessible spot. This makes handling snow and ice much easier when the cold hits.
Prevent Garage Door Freezing Issues
Cold weather can cause various garage door issues. Here’s how to prevent the most common problems:
- Replace Weather Stripping: Over time, the weather stripping on your garage door can wear out, allowing cold air and water to seep in and freeze. Replacing it before winter helps prevent freezing.
- Shovel Snow and Ice: Clear snow and ice around the base of the garage door regularly to prevent it from freezing shut.
- Use Salt or Lubricant: Sprinkle salt or apply a lubricant along the garage door’s weather seal to stop ice from building up and freezing the door shut.
Check Crucial Garage Door Parts
Inspect key parts of your garage door system, such as cables, springs, and rollers. Cold temperatures can cause metal components to contract, leading to misalignment or malfunction. Lubricating the garage door tracks helps prevent these issues. If you notice any signs of wear or damage, contact Robert’s Garage Door Professionals for repairs before the situation worsens.
Avoid Sensor and Remote Issues
During winter, cold weather can damage garage door sensors or drain remote batteries quickly. Make sure your sensors are working properly. To make sure spare batteries stay warm and charged, consider keeping them in a warm place, such as your car’s glove box or your house.
Keep Your Garage Warm and Ventilated
A frozen garage can lead to more than just door issues. To prevent an ice buildup, maintain a stable temperature inside, and make sure your garage is properly insulated. Consider installing a heater or improving ventilation to avoid moisture buildup that can cause rust or mold.
Call Robert’s Garage Door Professionals for Winter Tune-Up
To ensure your garage door is winter-ready, call Robert’s Garage Door Professionals for a winter tune-up. Our experienced team can inspect, lubricate, and repair any issues. That work ensures your garage door system will operate smoothly throughout the cold season. With proper garage door repairs and maintenance, you can avoid costly repairs and keep your garage functional all winter long.
