How Etobicoke’s Winters Could Break Your Garage Door
Your garage door is the unsung hero of your home. It takes up about a third of your exterior front façade, while taking a lot of punishment.
It has to stand up to Etobicoke’s insane weather. And, if you have a family, it may take errant slap shots from kids, or little nudges from teenagers who are still learning to drive.
The odds of needing garage door repair in Etobicoke are much higher over the winter. Here’s why you’re more likely to experience mechanical or electrical problems with your door over the cold months.
Etobicoke’s Polar Weather
This part of Ontario really gets the worst of both worlds when it comes to weather. Etobicoke gets the hot and humid days that southern communities have to deal with, while also getting those piercingly cold winds that northern communities are famous for.
For example, in the summer of 2019, the hottest day in July saw an actual temperature of 32 degrees, which easily reached into the 40s with the humidex. Meanwhile, an especially brutal winter saw temperatures dropping to nearly -40 with the wind chill in January. That’s an 80-degree-swing over a 7-month span.
These extreme temperatures are going to punish your garage door. If you have a wooden door, the temperature fluctuations can cause cracking and warping as the wood expands and contracts. You’re also running the risk of rotting, or even pests and insects.
The high winds and blowing ice pellets are also going to put any door’s finish to the test and you may see some chips and scratches. Or, you could easily nick it when shovelling your driveway. Winters are tough on all of us, and your garage door is no exception.
Interior Damage
The more expensive and dangerous damage may come inside your garage, particularly if you don’t have an insulated garage door and your garage is pretty much the same temperature as the outside. If you would like to see how easy an upgrade would be, check out our garage door pricing list to see what is possible.
Your garage door springs can contract and tighten up in the winter due to the cold temperatures. They’re not quite as malleable as they would be over the summer months, which can lead them to break or fail. If that happens, you’ve now got a garage door safety issue on your hands.
This is why your garage door is more likely to break or fail over the winter and colder months.
How to Fix a Frozen Garage Door
Etobicoke’s wet weather and cold snaps mean that, at some point over the winter, you may push the garage door opener button and discover it’s frozen shut. Snow and ice have accumulated at the bottom and basically sealed you in.
You’re in a hurry to get to work, but you don’t want to make the problem worse by breaking the door or the opener. Now what?
Here are your best options:
1. Chip it Away
You can use an ice chipper or another similar tool to chip away at the ice on the outside of the door and break the seal.
This can be effective, but runs a pretty high risk of damage. Keep in mind that you’re not going to be at your best when you’re doing this. You will be cold and likely in a bad mood because you’re running late.
These two things typically combine to reduce your accuracy with the tool and you could easily damage the door’s paint/finish. You could also damage the rubber seal at the bottom.
2. Hot Air
You can also use a heat gun or hair dryer to melt the ice around the opening of the door.
This is a slower process, and could be a bit of a pain. You will likely have to grab an extension cord or two to reach the area of the garage door. It’s slower, but safer (for the door), than picking away at the ice.
Bonus Tip: Skip The Bucket
You may encounter some people or DIY blogs that suggest using a bucket of hot water to clear the ice away. Take it from the experts: This does not work!
The thinking here is that the hot water will clear the ice, without any chipping damage to the bottom of the door. But, it doesn’t work and trying it will create a slippery and dangerous mess. Trust us!
Save yourself the time, mess and frustration by using one of the methods we listed above. Save the hot water for baths.
How to Prepare Your Garage Door for Winter
Of course, one of the simplest ways to prepare your garage door for winter is to upgrade to an insulated garage door. This is going to keep the springs, tracks and opener from having to deal with the sub-zero temperatures outside.
You can also prepare your garage door for the winter by calling the experts to make sure all of your parts are clean, lubricated and balanced for the winter months. This is why we offer 24/7 garage door services in Brampton and Etobicoke to winterize your door or respond to any issues you may be having.
Winter is Here and We’re Here for You
How is your garage door performing? Notice any new noises or lagging performance? We can help!
For the last 60 years, we have built our reputation based on trust and providing exceptional customer service. We’re proud that the Dodds name is synonymous with selling the highest quality of garage doors and modern garage door openers in the area.
You can get started right now by calling 1-877-503-6337, or clicking the ‘Get in Touch’ link at the top of the page.