Winter’s cold temperatures, snow, sleet and ice can severely impact many items around your home and how well they function. One of those is your automatic garage door system.
Grease
If there is too much lubricant, grease, on the tracks of the garage door, the door can easily move out of alignment. That means it will not move smoothly along the rails and may skew in the opening or closing. If this persists, the entire system can suffer damage. The answer is knowing when to stop with adding grease to the rails.
Metal
The rails are, of course, made of metal. In extreme temperatures, metal will contract and expand. This means it will change shape. If this happens, the door will not operate efficiently and can be damaged in the process. A good preventive measure is to oil the springs, screw drive, and the ball bearings. However, it is important to keep this lubricant off the tracks or you will experience the problem described above.
Choosing the Correct Lubricant
Part of servicing your automatic garage door system is knowing what lubricant to use. Most are designed to work with high heat levels. However, the cold temperatures in winter have the opposite effect, allowing the grease to congeal and become too thick. If that happens, the system will not be oiled appropriately and will not work well.
Rollers
If the rollers that move the door along the tracks have problems, they can move off the tracks. If that happens, this is a serious problem. If the door is in the open or partially open position, it could suddenly fall and the entire door may need to be replaced. It could also harm anything under it when it lets go. If you think the rollers are off the track. Call a professional immediately.
Sluggish Operation
If the door seems to be moving slower than normal, it could be that they are not designed for the temperatures you are experiencing. Frequently there is a torque setting that can be adjusted. It should be tweaked in small increments. If you over adjust, you could create more problems.
Springs
If the springs that control the door become too cold, they can weaken and eventually break. If this happens, your door will not operate.
Sensor
Sensors are a safety measure that stops the door from closing on any object or person in the path of the door. Cold temperatures can greatly affect how well these sensors operate. This could mean injury to a pet or object. It will probably mean the entire system will be offline.
If you are concerned about the safety or operation of your automatic garage door system, you should contact Amigo Doors for a professional to inspect and service your system. Just contact us to arrange a convenient appointment time. Our goal is for you and your family to be safe throughout the winter season and beyond.
