A snow-laden landscape can be a serene winter scene, but it can also ratchet up your anxiety as a homeowner if you have a garage. Heavy snowfall can tremendously impact your home, and excessive buildup might hurt your garage door’s longevity, safety, and performance. You need to know the specific risks and what you can do to mitigate them.
Blockage and Weight
Heavy snow accumulations around a garage door can create a physical barrier preventing proper operation. A garage door can’t open or close fully when snow piles up in front of it. Packed, wet snow is heavier than many people realize, and it can turn into a solid barrier when frozen that a garage door can’t get through. Motorized components of your automatic garage door opener might not handle the extra weight, and additional stress can result in mechanical failure or premature replacement. Use a de-icer to prevent ice formation, and arrange for someone to keep your garage door base clear of snow.
Freezing and Moisture
A buildup of snow can introduce too much moisture to a garage door’s rollers, springs, hinges, and other moving parts. As temperatures drop, moisture freezes, resulting in stiff components that might not move. These same temperatures can also make rubber weatherstripping and seals brittle, compromising their effectiveness. This impacts garage door functionality and insulation. Have your garage door technician inspect and lubricate every moving part and replace anything brittle, corroded or worn.
Sensor and Motor Damage
Ice and snow can interfere with the many electronic components of a garage door. Snow can block sensors close to the bottom, which is designed to keep the door from closing on obstacles. This is because blockages can mirror the appearance of an object. The garage door might also stop functioning if the motor gets overworked from frozen parts resisting movement or heavy snow adding too much load; the motor might overheat or completely fail. Professional inspections need to be arranged when you notice motor strain, and a technician needs to check the sensors, clean them, and make alignment adjustments.
Structural Strain
Snow accumulating on the roof over your garage can pose indirect threats to the door. Additional ice and snow weight might put pressure on the garage structure, weaken support frames, and misalign the door tracks, making it hard for a garage door to open or close correctly. A professional snow removal service might be able to clear your roof without damaging your home.
Safety Matters
When snow impacts the functionality of a garage door, it can present safety risks. Doors struggling to open or close correctly might wind up closing without warning. This can damage property and injure or kill people and pits. Frozen cables and springs might snap, resulting in hazardous situations. Scheduling a professional inspection before the start of winter can ensure your garage is in proper condition. However, even during the cold season, it’s still a good time to have a technician come in and help you catch up with issues surrounding components prone to accidents.
Energy Efficiency
Accumulation of snow can compromise a garage space’s insulation; warm air gets out, and cold air comes in. This inefficiency can drive up your utility bills for homes with attached garages. Ensure the gaps around your home’s garage door are sealed, and have someone inspect the insulation. Adding more or replacing your garage door with an energy-efficient model can make a notable difference in keeping the inside of the garage and your home more comfortable and easier to maintain.
Snow Is Pretty but Hazardous
When it falls right, snow can temporarily make your property photo-worthy, but too much snow can inconvenience your household and jeopardize the durability, safety, and performance of your garage door. Fortunately, proper care and proactive maintenance can prevent many issues, ensuring your garage door keeps functioning optimally all winter. Stay vigilant and deal with problems quickly to avoid costly repairs. Freezing temperatures and heavy snow present challenges, but they are manageable.
Legacy Garage Doors serves residents and businesses in Boise and the surrounding parts of Idaho with garage door services. Contact our team for garage door repairs, replacements, openers, and springs.
