Having a warm, well-insulated garage will give you a usable workspace throughout the year, even when the temperatures outside are below zero. Even if you don’t use your garage often, especially in the winter, it’s still a great idea to prepare it for the biting cold.
There are simple, practical ways you could prepare for winter. A cold garage can damage not only your car but also the equipment you store there.
Water freezes regardless of where it is, and if you have a power washer with water in the pump or line, there’s a good chance it will freeze and crack. This is also the case for fuel gels. They can freeze while inside the combustion engine.
Shocking right? Here are simple solutions to help you do it as possible.
Table of Contents
1. Fix or Replace Weatherstripping
Have you properly winterized your garage door? If not, the first thing is to fix or replace the weatherstrippings. It creates a seal between the garage door opening and the garage door. With time, the weatherstripping becomes cracked and brittle, and it allows air to get in between the door and frame. If you feel cold drafts of air seeping into your garage, it may be time to change the weatherstripping.
Simply scrape it off using a flat scraper, putty knife, or pry bar. They’ll make the work very easy, so ensure you get all sealant off. You have to get the surface as clean and smooth as possible that way, installation of the new weatherstripping will be stronger.
Once you’re done removing the old weatherstripping, you can begin applying the new one. To align the new stripping, you need to close your garage door, then try aligning the weatherstripping so the rubber flap sits flat against the door. This will create a tight seal but also give you room to operate the garage door efficiently.
2. Insulating Your Garage Door and Walls
Garages are rarely insulated but should be, primarily if you use them often. You should consider insulating both the door and walls for energy efficiency and heat conservation. Good insulation will help you control the temperatures inside more effectively so you can work without any disturbances. Insulating your garage will create a comfortable workspace and protect any equipment that is sensitive to temperature and is stored in the garage.
Additionally, if your garage is attached to your home, insulating the walls connected to the house will also reduce energy costs and conserve more energy. Some garage doors come pre-insulated, so if yours is, there’s no need to do it again.
3. Fix Your Garage Door
A broken garage door is an inconvenience, especially in the winter. Overlooking your garage door could be a nuisance for you in the winter, so take the necessary steps to avoid getting caught in the cold. Inspect the garage doors for any broken and damaged parts.
The average garage door opens and closes three to five times daily and around1500 times annually. Look for any faulty suspension line or rusted bolts. Also, check the tracks to ensure the doors align properly and run smoothly when you close or open them.
If you see any issues with the door, make the necessary repairs as soon as possible to ensure you’re ready for the winter conditions. You can get a professional to help diagnose the issue and help with repairs.
4. Test The Balance Of Your Garage Door
When your garage door’s balance is out of place, it will be much harder for the motor opening the door to lift and lower it. This imbalance will stress the motor over the long periods of winter, making it more vulnerable to damage. You have to make sure the garage door is appropriately balanced.
To check its balance, pull the release handle when your door is closed so that it can disconnect from the opener. Then try lifting your door manually until it’s about halfway. If it stays in that position, the counterweight system is balanced correctly.
On the other hand, if it doesn’t, it’s imbalanced, and you need to call professionals to rebalance the springs. Don’t do it yourself!
Many injuries happen due to improper management of garage doors. If you don’t have the proper tools or expertise, leave it to the professionals.
You also need to ensure the high-tension steel cable used to lower and lift the door is functioning and still durable. These cables are solid, but that doesn’t mean they are immune to wear and tear. Before winter starts, inspect these cables to look for any signs of wear.
If you see any fraying, that should be the sign you’re looking for, and the bitter cold of winter will make the cables brittle and lead to more damage. You should not try and replace these cables by yourself. The extreme tensions mean that they can snap anytime, and that could lead to severe injuries.
5. Lubricate all the Moving Parts
Another way you could winterize your garage door is to ensure all the moving parts are well lubricated and running properly. This guarantees that all the moving parts will not wear on each other and get damaged and also provide a layer of protection from the winter cold and other elements.
All you need to do is apply lubricant that’s specifically made for the garage doors, and it’ll be okay.
While you lubricate all moving parts, you should also take a look at the rollers. Your garage door may last for decades to come, but some components, such as the rollers, don’t go for that long. Garage doors have a lifespan of about 20 years, or much longer if maintained well.
You need to examine your garage door rollers every few years and replace them if need be. The rollers, usually made from nylon or steel, can also become chipped and worn out from years of use, so do the change before winter comes knocking.
Conclusion
Throughout winter, your garage loses a lot of warmth through your garage door, and that can bring the temperatures down considerably. That is pretty unpleasant, especially if you live in areas that are affected by worse winter.
So preparing your garage door for the icy winds and cold temperatures by fixing it up improves your chances of having a more comfortable winter. Plus, you can use your garage even if the temperatures outside are below freezing.
During the chilly months, making your whole home cozy against the frigid temperatures outside is comforting. So, cover those cracks and reinforce your garage door and brace for the cold.
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