Finding your garage door frozen to the ground is a common problem during the winter months. There are several reasons that may cause this to happen.
One common cause is the buildup of snow and ice on the ground underneath the door. Long Island, NY averages between 20 and 35 inches of snow each year!
Another reason your garage door may become stuck is that the weather seals are worn and in need of replacement. Cold weather can also cause the metal components of garage doors to contract, which can result in misalignment in the tracks and other mechanical problems. In some situations, such as in the case of mechanical problems, you should consult your preferred garage door technician. That said, in many cases, you can safely free your garage door on your own.
If you find yourself in this situation, what can you do to get your door unstuck?
Five Tips for Getting Your Garage Door Unstuck From Ice
If your garage door becomes stuck on ice or snow, try these five tips to open it:
- Check the door for any obstructions or broken parts. If you see something that looks particularly damaged or unsafe, contact a professional.
- If you are able to get inside the garage and nothing looks amiss, pull the manual release cord to disengage the door from the opener. Then, if you are able, manually open and close the door a few times to dislodge frost and loosen any frozen sections.
- If you can’t open the door manually, you likely have ice buildup under or just outside the door. Try applying heat using a blow dryer or heat gun set on low and go over these icy sections, steadily moving the heat blower back and forth. If your garage is heated, that will also help provide some relief to a stuck door.
- If you don’t have a heat blower, try chipping away at the ice, pouring boiling water on the frozen areas or applying rock salt or hot salt. If you have time to wait, the door may thaw out on its own if temperatures are going to rise above freezing, or you can try using a space heater.
- If none of these tips work, contact a professional garage door service.
How to Prevent Your Garage Door From Freezing Shut
To prevent your garage door from getting frozen shut, take the following preventive measures:
- Clear the garage door area: Remove any snow and ice from around the door area on a regular basis so buildup does not occur.
- Replace the weather seal: Weather seals or weatherstripping can become cracked and worn over time, which allows water to accumulate and freeze.
- Apply a light Silicone Spray: You can help prevent sticking by applying a lubricant such as a silicon spray to the bottom of your garage door’s bottom seal.
- Install a garage heater: A heater is a simple solution for preventing any freezing in the garage, but it does create an added expense. There are gas and electrical heater options, and gas is usually cheaper than electric.
- Perform and schedule regular garage door maintenance: Regularly inspect the tracks, wheels and door for any obstructions, cracks or breaks and schedule maintenance appointments with the professionals.
Contact A Better Door Company For Preventive Maintenance
Contact A Better Door Company for your garage door preventative maintenance services. We are a family-owned company that has served Long Island for over 30 years.
We provide spring repair, cable repair, opener repair and weekend emergency repair as well as maintenance and installation services throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Contact us online today for more information or give us call at (631) 732 -9654.