Garage door maintenance – winterizing your garage door

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Garage door maintenance – winterizing your garage door

 

“If cold living spaces above or next to the garage are an ongoing problem, upgrade to an energy efficient garage door. Replacing an older garage door with a new, insulated model can reduce energy loss through the garage by up to 71%, according to a comparison study conducted by Clopay engineers.”

Why you should consider winterizing your garage door

Winterizing your garage door is important for several reasons:

  1. Energy Efficiency: Weatherizing your garage door can help seal gaps and cracks, preventing cold air from entering your garage and potentially seeping into your home. This can help improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and lowering your heating bills during the winter months.
  2. Comfort: A well-insulated and weatherized garage door can help maintain a more comfortable temperature inside the garage, making it a more pleasant space to use during the winter. It can also help prevent adjoining rooms to the garage from feeling colder, improving overall comfort in your home.
  3. Protection: Winterizing your garage door can help protect your belongings stored in the garage from extreme cold temperatures, which can cause damage to items such as tools, vehicles, and other equipment.
  4. Durability: Sealing gaps and cracks in your garage door can help prevent moisture from entering the garage, which can help protect against rust and corrosion of metal components, as well as damage to wooden doors from moisture absorption.
  5. Longevity: Proper winterization can help extend the lifespan of your garage door by reducing the impact of harsh winter weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, which can cause wear and tear on the door and its components.

Overall, winterizing your garage door can help improve energy efficiency, comfort, protection, durability, and longevity of your garage door and the items stored in your garage, making it a worthwhile investment for homeowners in colder climates.

Visually inspect your garage door for spaces

Visually inspecting your garage door for gaps or spaces is a relatively simple process. Here are the steps to do so:

  1. Close your garage door: Make sure your garage door is fully closed and latched.
  2. Stand inside your garage: Stand inside your garage facing the closed garage door, and carefully examine the edges and bottom of the door for any visible gaps or spaces.
  3. Check for light or drafts: Look for any areas where light is seeping through or where you can feel drafts coming in from outside. These may indicate gaps or spaces in your garage door.
  4. Pay attention to corners and edges: Check the corners and edges of the garage door, including the sides and the bottom, as these are common areas where gaps or spaces may occur.
  5. Inspect weather seals: Look at the weather seals on the sides and bottom of the garage door. Ensure they are intact and not damaged or missing, as these seals play a crucial role in preventing gaps and spaces.
  6. Check for warping or damage: Inspect the garage door panels for any signs of warping, bending, or other damage that may cause gaps or spaces to occur.
  7. Test the door’s fit: Push or pull on the garage door slightly to see if it moves or shifts excessively, which may indicate poor alignment and potential gaps or spaces.

If you notice any gaps or spaces in your garage door during the visual inspection, it may be necessary to repair or replace weather seals, realign the door, or address any other issues to ensure proper sealing and insulation. It’s always recommended to consult with a professional garage door technician for a comprehensive inspection and repairs, if needed.

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