Tips for Prepping Your Garage Door for the Winter

Your garage door is what encloses your garage, keeps out intruders and pests, and protects your valuables stored inside. They sometimes take a beating while doing this. It may be kids hitting it with their different sports equipment, your car dinging it, or the weather. The winter weather is more harmful to the door than the rest of the year. The cold temperatures can be damaging to many parts of the garage door. Here are some tips to help keep your garage door protected during the winter:

• Lubricate Moving Parts: Many of the parts on your garage door are metal and lubrication is essential to protecting them. Use a non-silicone lubricant to lubricate moving parts such as hinges, springs, and rollers to ensure smooth operation during the cold.

• Add Insulation: Winter months mean colder temperatures. That translates into your garage door becoming cooler or your home’s energy bills skyrocketing. Adding insulation to your garage door prevents moisture buildup and helps with temperature regulation.

• Replace Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping keeps out air, dirt, debris, and bugs. The Texas heat and cold winter weather can decay the weatherstripping rendering it useless. If pieces are missing or your stripping looks worn out, replace it.

• Inspect the Door and Tracks: This may seem simple, but few do it. Listen to your tracks as your door opens and closes. If it is too loud or makes odd noises, there is likely an issue. Have a garage door tune-up to make sure your door is operating smoothly.