The days are getting shorter, pumpkin spice is everywhere, and football season is finally here again – fall is in the air here in the Black Hills. With cold weather right around the corner, garage doors become a key line of defense against the elements, keeping your family, home, and belongings safe and warm despite the winter chill.
However, if your garage door isn’t ready for the winter elements, you could instead be dealing with gusty drafts, rising energy bills, or even a stuck garage door during the coldest day of the year.
To make sure your garage door is prepared as the temperatures begin to drop, follow these key steps:
- Inspect the Weatherstripping
Check the rubber seal along the bottom of your garage door. If it’s cracked, brittle, or missing, replace it so that it can better keep cold air and moisture out, and warm air in.
- Test the Door Balance and Springs
Extreme cold can strain your garage door system. Test your door to see if it opens smoothly and look for any wear on the springs before they cause bigger issues during the coming months.
- Lubricate Moving Parts
Cold temperatures can make the metal moving parts of your garage door stiff, causing your door to open roughly, or not even open at all. By applying a lubricant to hinges, rollers, and tracks, you can ensure your garage door glides open with ease throughout the winter.
- Check Insulation
An insulated garage door makes a huge difference in keeping your home warm and your energy bills low. If your door isn’t insulated, consider adding insulation before the cold weather hits.
- Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
By scheduling a fall tune-up with the experts at South Dakota Overhead Doors, you can rest assured that your garage door is ready to guard against a harsh Black Hills winter. During the tune-up, our garage door technicians will take care of all of the above steps and more. They can also spot issues before they become costly emergencies and make sure the largest moving part of your home is operating safely and cost-effectively.
Contact us today to schedule your garage door tune-up!