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How Winter Weather Affects Your Garage Door

Cold weather can cause various garage door issues that prevent efficient functionality. Since metal contracts in freezing temperatures, springs and tracks often endure significant damage. If your door is difficult to open or close, most likely, there is an issue preventing it from operating correctly.

While a garage is great for storing your vehicle, a malfunctioning door can compromise its safety and condition. Read further to determine how winter weather can adversely affect a garage door.

Icy Door Panels

Water melts and freezes due to fluctuating temperatures and icy conditions. As a result, ice can develop quickly in various areas outside your home, including beneath your garage door. Also, it can become trapped between the entry and frame, causing it to remain shut despite how much strength you use to force it open. Reading information about winter weather preparation can help you take precautions to preserve your door.

Severe Lubrication Issues

Lubricants allow your garage door to open efficiently and effortlessly. However, low temperatures can cause oil to thicken, leaving the door vulnerable to severe jamming. Also, specific surface areas can stretch if you fail to maintain them adequately.

One way to avoid lubrication issues during the winter is to use oils with low-pressure ratings. Additionally, it would help use an efficient product to keep specific garage door parts, such as rollers and hinges, operational.

Excessive Moisture Absorption

Consistent dampness can increase moisture absorption, causing your jambs to bulge. Your garage door is more prone to becoming wedged due to expanding metal and rubber components. Maintaining your gutters can help prevent buckling and water pressure.

Brittle and Weak Springs

Since garage door springs become fragile under icy conditions, they are more likely to break even under the slightest pressure. While they usually last up to 10,000 cycles, they endure significant wear and tear due to adverse winter weather. Natural elements such as a snowstorm or heavy, cold rain can gradually destroy the durability of each spring.

When temperatures drop, the best thing you can do is preserve your springs, ensuring they are well lubricated. However, your door may need a spring replacement if maintenance is ineffective.

Deformed Metal Components

Metal contracts during exposure to cold temperatures because molecules shrink in and around the area. The contraction can cause deformities and garage door track misalignment, preventing opening and closing. While a lubricant is a temporary solution, consider calling a specialist if the problem continues.

When it comes to the condition of your garage door, cold weather can cause severe destruction. Contact Lincoln Door via our website form or call 602-955-4144. We can perform a professional repair job and provide preventive maintenance to protect your door against further damage.

This Holiday Season, Keep Your Garage Secure!

The holiday season is a delightful time filled with cheer, family gatherings, and plenty of gifts to go around; however, there’s a darker side to the holiday season as burglaries spike and home break-in trends escalate.

Did you know that your garage is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home, often targeted by burglars?

They understand that some people tend to store their holiday gifts or valuables in the garage, and if it’s an easy target, they’ll go for the opportunity.

Don’t Let Your Garage Be an Easy Target

Garage security is especially critical for older model garage doors because there’s a high possibility they are:

  • Not connected to a home’s primary alarm system
  • Don’t have a built-in locking system, allowing them to be forced open from the outside
  • Aren’t built with modern security features

Even if you have a modern garage door, there are a few steps you can take this holiday season to “beef up” your garage security and give yourself further peace of mind.

How to Secure Your Garage for the Holidays

To beef up your garage security and keep thieves out of your garage for good, a few simple steps and quick security installations could make all the difference.

Lincoln Door of Tempe, AZ is an electric garage door company operating since 1967 and well-versed in garage door security.

They provide garage door repair, replace sections of garage doors, provide garage door accessories, replace springs, and most importantly — can assist you with the following garage door security installations.

Replace Your Garage Door

If you have an older garage door or one that simply doesn’t have the security features of modern doors today, one of the quickest and easiest ways you can secure your garage is through a new door. Lincoln Door can make this process a breeze.

Install a Garage Door Deadbolt

If you know you won’t be opening your garage for a period of time, a very simple way to secure your door is through a garage door deadbolt. This is your typical deadbolt, mounted on the inside of your garage door and attached to the wall to prevent anyone from opening, prying, or otherwise forcing your door open.

Install an On/Off Switch for Your Garage Door Opener

Most garage door openers are left on 24/7, even if the owners of the home are out on an extended vacation or aren’t watching their garage space. By disabling your garage door opener completely when it’s not in use, you immediately beef up your security.

Shield Your Emergency Release Cord

Every garage door has an emergency release cord, and it has been shown that thieves can use a coat hanger to open your door in under a minute! By installing a garage shield cover that covers this emergency release, you’ll secure your garage even further.

Ensure Your Garage Door Is Secure

So many homeowners spend a great deal of time and money, working on securing their home with hi-tech security systems, but forget the critical step of also securing your garage. Below are some crucial steps homeowners can take to make sure their garage door is secure. 

Install a timer 

People are so busy these days; it is very easy to forget to close your garage door. It is possible to install a timer so that it will automatically close after a certain amount of time. You can pick the amount of time that best fits your needs and also turn it off temporarily if you need to leave the door open for a longer period of time. Timers are very easy to install, so no need to hire a professional. 

Block the windows 

While it is nice to have windows in your garage to allow natural light, they are also an easy way for burglars to see if you have expensive tools or other items in the garage to steal. Installing blinds are a great way to be able to block potential thieves from looking in. If you are working in the garage, you can easily open the blinds to let in some light. If you do not want to spend money on blinds for the garage, you can also opt to frost the window. Frosting windows is affordable, and it will still allow in some natural light. 

Secure the doors 

While the obvious door to secure is the garage door itself, some people forget it is just as essential to secure the side door on the garage or the door that leads into the house. The doors to the garage should be secured with the same high-quality lock that is on the front door of your home. If you do not use the side door on the garage, often be sure to double-check that it is locked regularly. 

Install motion sensor outdoor lights 

Another great way to deter thieves away from your garage is by installing motion sensor lights. These lights are affordable and easy to install. If a thief approaches your garage, they will immediately be startled by the bright light. It is also a great way to light the way for you in the dark. 

Install an indoor lock

If you travel regularly, it is wise to install a second lock on the inside of the door. In the event a thief can break through the exterior lock, they will be stopped in their tracks by the interior lock. While an internal lock is not convenient to use every day, it will give you peace of money while you are on vacation. 

Be cautious with your garage remote. 

It is very easy to leave you remote out for a  thief to see. It is essential to get in the habit of storing your garage remote in a non-visible area. If you can get a small remote that is attaches to your keychain, that is a great way to secure your remote. 


Install a door viewer 

A door viewer is a great way to make sure you never come face to face with a thief. If you get home and suspect someone is in the garage, you can look through the viewer and notify the police.