Heavy rain and strong winds can put your garage door to the test as winter is approaching, but with some patience and proper maintenance you can make sure your space is protected during the colder months. Here are some tips on how to prepare your garage door for winter from the StormStop experts!
Preparing your garage door for winter can help protect your space and belongings from damp, condensation, water ingress and debris being blown in by strong winds. What’s more, it will help maintain a more stable temperature within the space and prevent your car engine as well as any fluids and batteries from freezing up.
In addition, winter proofing your garage door can make a big difference to your home’s overall energy efficiency as garages are actually where homes tend to lose the most heat if the structure is attached to the house.
Start by fully opening and closing the entrance and watching how the panel moves and whether it’s making any unusual noises e.g. grinding or scraping which could indicate that there’s an issue. It should move smoothly without juddering / seeming uneven and sit evenly within the frame when fully closed.
If something seems to be wrong it might be a good idea to arrange for a specialist to take a look at the panel so the issue can be fixed and your space and belongings are protected for winter.
After it has rained, have a look at whether you notice any puddles or wet patches on the floor, particularly near the entrance as this could mean there’s water ingress. If you’re noticing cardboard boxes / items stored near the entrance are damp this could also be a sign that water is getting in through gaps.
Keep in mind however that water could be coming in from leaks elsewhere so finding the source will help you figure out whether you need to repair damage in the structure for example or install a suitable garage door seal.
Check the outside of the panel and look for any signs of damage e.g. peeling paint, rust on metal surfaces, cracks in timber / areas where the material has started to deteriorate, paying particular attention to the bottom edge and any exposed joints. Any small areas of damage will be much easier to repair before they’ve become more extensive. How this should be done depends on the panel’s material and particular issue you’ve noticed, for example you might want to treat any surface rust if you've noticed any or touch up damaged paint.
It’s also important to check whether the frame looks secure, meaning there shouldn’t be any cracks or gaps where it meets the surrounding wall but if you do spot any signs of corrosion or the frame being loose, a professional will be able to recommend repairs.
Make sure to lubricate any moving parts like hinges, metal roller bearings, pivot points, etc to winter proof your garage door as colder weather and moisture can encourage corrosion on metal parts whereas lubricating those properly will reduce friction and help the entrance open and close more smoothly even as the weather changes.
To do this, wipe away any dirt before applying a small amount of lubricant while making sure to keep the tracks clean as coating them in grease may collect dust and debris.
It’s likely some autumn leaves and windblown debris will have collected around the entrance so if you’re looking at how to prepare your garage door for winter it’s a good idea to clear these away before they’ve broken down and turned to mulch. This will help make sure the panel can open and close properly and, if you have any drainage channels or grates nearby, it will also help rain drain away properly, reducing water ingress.
Whilst preparing your garage door for winter, do a thorough check of your garage door seals and weatherstripping and replace them if you notice any signs of wear and tear. If you have a weather seal around the edges, check that it is intact with no signs of visible damage. You might also want to give it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or residue that may be concealing problems or causing it to be less efficient due to build up. Sealing your garage door for winter can help stop external elements from entering and causing damage and is a form of draught proofing which can reduce winter heating bills.
The winter months are notorious for wet and windy weather so whilst preparing your garage for winter, you might want to think about installing a floor seal also known as a threshold seal to create a barrier from the underside of the entrance and stop rainwater or floodwater from entering your space during winter.
If you’re looking at how to prepare your garage door for winter, give it a refresh with some new door seals. Stormstop manufactures a number of garage door seals and weatherstripping products here in the UK that are fantastic to use as garage door winter seals. Take a look at our collection now. Alternatively, contact our team and we’ll be happy to help and answer any questions.
