The cold frost of winter often takes us by surprise. A consistent spell of mild weather can suddenly turn frosty, and as a result, cause havoc for garages!
In this blog we will give you our top 5 tips on how to winter-proof your garage door. If you’re looking for a guide to garage door winter maintenance, you can read one of our previous blogs here.
Why you should Winter-Proof your Garage
Benefits of winter-proofing your garage door:
- Protect any exposed pipes & prevent freezing and subsequent bursting
- Keep your garage warm.
- Protect your stored items.
- Keep your home as warm as possible – stop hot air from escaping!
For some people, garages are storage facilities, and therefore protection of these items is vital. That includes protecting them from the elements like water moisture and extreme cold.
However, if you make use of your garage for other purposes (a workshop, gym, or games room), then ensuring this space is kept warm is a top priority. Even if you only park your car in the garage, winter-proofing will ensure your short walk from the car to the house is as pleasant as possible!
Another benefit to winter-proofing your garage door is to keep your home as warm as possible. Not many people realise that a garage without insulation is a major cause of heat escaping. Meaning a colder house, or higher heating bills.
Often, water pipes will run through the garage, this means if your garage gets too cold the pipes are at risk of freezing. Winter-proofing your garage will prevent this from happening and the subsequent damage if the pipe should burst.
Common Winter Garage Door Problems
The most common problems for garage doors in winter include:
- Excess grease
- Thickening grease
- Contracting metal
When the outside temperature drops, garage doors are unfortunately more likely to malfunction. That’s why it’s crucial to be aware of the issues you are likely to face in the colder months and have the knowledge on how to prevent them from happening.
When the temperatures drop below a certain threshold your garage door is likely to experience some materials contracting. Particularly, components that are made of metal. Another potential problem to be aware of is thickening grease caused by the cold. If this happens it is no longer an effective lubricant.
How to Winter-Proof your Garage Door
1. Clean your Garage
Before you begin anything, you must thoroughly clean your garage. Start by removing any rubbish, or items that you no longer need, then sweep away dirt and debris. Next, clean down the internal walls by removing any dust and cobwebs.
2. Install Weatherstripping
The next step is the biggest job, start by sealing up any leaks or holes in the walls. It’s also worth checking the roof of your garage, including the guttering and roof tiles for potential breakages or slipped tiles.
Then carry out checks of all the seals around the garage door itself, ensuring there is no damage or signs of wear.
3. Insulate your Walls
There are a few ways to insulate your garage walls, but one of the easiest is to fix the insulation directly to the wall. We recommend using fiberglass bat insulation.
4. Insulate your Garage Door
There are various garage door insulation kits available including foam boards and fiberglass.
5. Install Heating
While insulating your garage walls and door will go a long way to keeping in the heat, it won’t be enough to effectively warm your garage. To do this you will need a unit heater.
Book your Garage Door Survey Today
Reach out and speak to our garage door experts today for help and advice on winter-proofing your garage door today. Book your survey today.