Summer season is over and winter is knocking at the doors. Hot lazy afternoons will be replaced by cold chilly evenings. The onslaught of winter means a lot of changes in the weather and environment. Besides a lovely hot cup of coffee, the rest of the winters require a lot of preparation in different realms. Homeowners have to tend to various machines, gadgets and equipment and prepare them for the seasonal change. Garage door is the most important among all the household machines. They require a thorough servicing and maintenance schedule to get them through winters happily.
Special Servicing for Garage Doors in winters
In winters, the temperature drop can cause machines to operate with lower efficiency. The operating speed is reduced due to high friction owing to frozen oil around components. In garage doors, there are many components that come in direct contact with the outside atmosphere. For example, every time you operate the door, the oil in the springs moves around. In winters, the cold oil moves abnormally resulting in slow motion. Homeowners can take some steps to ensure that winters pass peacefully.
Tips for high-Performance Garage doors:
• Insulation: When you go shopping for new winter clothing, you consider warm and cozy clothes that maintain body heat. Similarly, your garage space should also be insulated from outside temperature. For this, you should seal out every window or ventilation hole. Install a fine strip of rubber under the door to seal out from the bottom.
• Polyurethane Doors: Hollow aluminum or steel doors are generally filled with polyurethane foam that protects against temperature variations. This foam maintains temperature inside even when it is freezing cold outside. Homeowners can also purchase polyurethane spray and paint a fine layer of insulation over old steel doors.
• Spring Oil Replacement: Springs are the primary components that help lift the door. They contain oil under pressure which helps rotate the coiled springs. This oil is affected by the sudden drop in temperature. The viscosity of the oil can decrease leading to more friction. The result: slow or abnormal door operation. It is advised that homeowners do not attempt to replace spring oil themselves. Call the professionals for servicing well before the winters begin.
• Change Opener Settings: Garage door opener settings must be changed to suit cold weather. As a rule of thumb, decrease the opening and closing speed of the door. In winters, there may be snow accumulated in front of the door. A sudden push during opening can cause damage to the door. Make sure that the overhead ‘up-and-over’ door is not operated with snow blocking the entrance.
• Lubricate the tracks and chain with high quality oil. Only use oil with anti-freeze property. Remember, only well-lubricated, friction-free chains can lift a door safely.
Winter has its own charm. But certain machines do pose operational risks. Prepare your garages well in advance to avoid unfortunate incidents. Follow these simple tips and focus on enjoying the winter rather than struggling with garage door issues.
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