Converting Garages to Living and Working Spaces: Garage Door Blog

Four Simple Tips To Get Your Garage Ready For Winter

9 July 2015 by Landon Little

Don't overlook your garage when you are getting your home ready for winter. Blowing snow and draining melt can encroach into the garage, damaging any items you have stored inside. Wind and cold is also a concern, especially on attached garages where it can impact the heating costs for the rest of the home. Use the following tips to make sure your garage is ready for winter.

Tip #1: Savvy Stripping

Weather stripping is one of the simplest and quickest ways to weatherproof your garage. Make sure the rubber or felt stripping on exterior access doors is in good repair, with no cracking or peeling. Replace it with a fresh stripping if you spot damage. Also check the door sweep on the bottom of the access door. If it's missing or damaged, unscrew it and remove it, and then replace it with a new one.

Your overhead door also has some weather stripping. The bottom rubber gasket helps keep out cool air and debris, so make sure it is in good condition and replace as needed.

Tip #2: Cozy Coverage

An insulated garage door is a necessity in a cold climate. The overhead door can be the primary cause for heat loss and cold air entry since it takes up an entire wall of the room. You can purchase insulated doors that are made to be lightweight, so they don't put undue stress on the automatic garage door opener. There are also kits you can buy that will convert your existing door to an insulated door. Just make sure your current opener is rated to lift both the weight of the door and the added insulation.

Tip #3: Damage Details

Fall is a good time to perform an all-over garage door inspection – you don't want it getting stuck half open in the dead of winter! Check that all the hinges on the door are moving properly and that the wheels in the tracks are running smoothly. You can vacuum out any debris in the tracks and lubricate the moving parts. If you suspect trouble or want a more in-depth inspection, such as a check of the springs, schedule an appointment with a garage door technician. Remember, the springs are under tension and pose a major hazard, so it's best to have these serviced by a professional.

Tip #4: Roof Recommendation

Don't overlook the roof when you are performing your winter preparations. If the slope of the roof comes down over your garage door, gutters are a good idea. These will route water away from the front of the garage. You don't want pooling water to collect and freeze on your driveway or to flow beneath the overhead door. If you already have gutters, make sure they are in good repair and clear of any debris before winter arrives.

For any further assistance, contact local professionals, such as those from Mike's Garage Doors.

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