Why Garage Doors Freeze Shut & How to Stop It Before It Happens
When you live in the northeast, you know there are certain frustrations that occur when the winter rolls around. One that you might not understand as much until it happens to you is having your garage doors freeze shut. When temperatures drop, moisture and ice can turn what was a perfectly functioning garage door into a frozen barrier, which can be deeply frustrating, especially when you’re trying to get to work or take the kids to school. So, how does this happen? Why do garage doors freeze shut, and how can you stop it before it happens? Let the experts at Kanga Roof explain.
Why Garage Doors Freeze Shut
Understanding why garage doors freeze shut can help you take some preventative measures to help you avoid running into that problem. So, how and why does it happen? There can be several reasons, including:
- Moisture & temperature fluctuations – Moisture buildup along the base of your garage door can often be one of the main culprits for your door freezing shut. Melting snow or condensation can seep underneath the opening and then when the temperatures drop, that water refreezes and creates a dam that spans from the bottom seal of the door to the concrete.
- Worn or damaged weatherstripping – The weather seal at the bottom of your door should play a key role in protecting against drafts, dirt, and water. But over time, the seal can crack, flatten, or pull away from your garage door, which makes it easier for moisture to be trapped underneath the door as described above.
- Poor drainage near your garage – Where might that problematic moisture at the base of your garage door come from? Clogged gutters, improper grading, or uneven concrete that prevents proper water runoff are all possible factors in creating the conditions necessary for your door to freeze up.
- Metal components seizing up – Cold weather can affect more than just your garage door’s weather seal and the moisture around the base of your door. It can also have an impact on the metal tracks, rollers, and springs that make up your door’s operation, stiffening or freezing them up. Unsurprisingly, that can make the door difficult or even impossible to lift and open.
How to Stop a Garage Door From Freezing Shut
So, now that you know what can cause a garage door to freeze shut, you also know the preventative steps you can take to make sure you don’t have to deal with that at your home. Between keeping the area clear of snow and ice, replacing worn weatherstripping, keeping your garage door’s metal components properly lubricated, and improving the drainage around your home and especially around your garage, you have plenty you can do to protect your door and ensure it stays operational at all times during the wintertime.
What to Do If Your Garage Door Does Freeze Shut
If you haven’t taken the necessary preventative measures to keep your garage door from freezing shut, there are some steps to follow in order to unfreeze it and get it back to its normal operation without damaging it. For one, make sure you absolutely do not attempt to force it open, as that can crack panels, strip the gears, or break the motor of your garage door opener. Rather, applying gentle heat along the bottom seal of your door can help, as can the use of rock salt or a de-icing product. Eventually, you’ll be able to operate your door again and when that’s the case, make sure you dry the area thoroughly to prevent refreezing.
Call On Professionals for Any Garage Door Repair Needs You Have
If you want to learn more about unfreezing your garage door or you need garage door repair services from a team of proven experts, Kanga Roof is here to help. Headquartered in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, we’re proud to be Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents’ go-to resource for a variety of garage door projects. Contact us today to get started on yours.