Frozen Garage Door? 2 Reasons To Not Put Off Your Repairs

If your garage door freezes shut from ice on the driveway or home, contact a repair technician right away instead of waiting for the ice to thaw. Although frozen plumbing pipes are some of the most common problems homeowners face in the winter, a number of residents in the United States also tackle frozen garage doors. The ice and cold that form on garage doors can spread to the springs and other critical parts of the doors. Here are two reasons you shouldn't put off calling a garage door technician to check and fix your frozen garage door.

Broken Springs

Garage doors rely on metal coiled springs to open and close properly, but wear, tear and old age can increase the springs' vulnerability to cold weather damage. If the springs on your frozen garage door break, rust or pull loose from their connections, your garage door can collapse and cause extensive and life-threatening bodily injuries. You should check and replace your springs every 5-6 years to avoid potentially hazardous conditions all year round.

One of the things you can do until a garage specialist arrives to examine your door is block it off from anyone who might try to open it. Place a large sign on the front paneling with bright, bold or fluorescent lettering that warns family members and visitors away from the garage door.

Parking your vehicle as close to the door as you safely can may also prevent unauthorized entries. Also, lock or block any doors inside the home that lead to the garage. Children and teens may enter the garage by mistake and inadvertently open up the damaged door.

You can also check the garage door's frame and paneling for issues until the contractor arrives.

Damaged Frame and Paneling

Moisture can damage wooden material over time by rotting it. The damage may create cracks in the frame and paneling of the garage door, as well as in the foundation connected to the door. Because the cracks may vary in size and visibility, it's a good idea that you use a flashlight to examine the frame. Shine the light on the areas between the foundation of the home and outer door frame. If you find irregularly-shaped lines, highlight them with a black or brown marker.

Examine the paneling inside and outside the garage door for dark water spots. Moisture can penetrate the paneling and saturate the inside of it. Write down the locations of the damages on a piece of paper to give to the garage door contractor later. If your garage door has a metal frame, the sides may appear pushed in or dented from rubbing against the foundation when you previously opened and closed it. 

For more details about cold weather damage and your garage door, contact a specialist from a company like America's Garage Doors LLC.


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