How to Winterize Your Garage Door

How to Winterize Your Garage Door

You change the filter on the furnace. You top-up the antifreeze in your car. You buy road salt for the driveway. You do them all because you want to minimize the chances of an accident or inconvenience in the middle of winter.

So why don’t you winterize your garage door? It might not be a disaster, but the moment your garage door decides to not work will probably be the coldest, stormiest and darkest moment of the winter.

It might be a ways off, but now’s the best time to get your garage door ready for winter.

4 Steps to Winterize Your Garage Door

This is mainly just good-sense, regular maintenance to keep your garage door in good working condition.

1. Look and Listen

To the garage door opener that is. If it conks out, the door won’t open. When the door is in operation, listen for unusual sounds of grinding in the motor and squealing from the metal parts of the door.
Also look at the door as it raises and lowers. Make sure the bottom of the door stays parallel to the floor and that the door doesn’t ‘lurch’ as it travels.

2. Check That the Safety Features are Working

Sticking with the opener, it’s important the door’s two main safety features are working properly.
For the first safety feature, put a 2X4 on the garage floor across the line where the door touches the floor. Trigger the door to close. It should automatically stop and go backwards when it hits the 2×4.
You can test the second safety feature with a stick and empty cardboard box. Use the stick to push the box into the path of the door as it closes. Stay well away from the door’s path. The door should stop and reverse as the box goes between the two photo eyes on either side of the door opening.

3. Fasten Connections Where Needed

There are metal hinges between each garage door panel. The tracks along which the rollers run are connected to the ceiling of the garage. And so too is the garage door opener. Check all their fasteners and connections for tightness.

4. Add Lubrication

Lubricate the rubber seals between the door panels, along the bottom of the door and around the door frame. Lubricate moving metal parts including the door hinges, cables, springs, and rollers.  

There’s no guaranteeing that you’ll survive the winter without a garage door issue. But there are lots you can do to minimize it. And if you run into problems, contact Markham Garage Door. We’re happy to help in any way we can.

How to Resurface Your Concrete Garage Floor with Epoxy

It’s the middle of a cold winter and, if you happen to use your garage as a place to park your car (really?!), the floor’s a mess. With all the snow falls we’ve had so far in Markham and Southern Ontario, your car picks up salt, sand and other road debris in the snow and slush that clings to it as you drive.

Then, after you get home, the heat of your car’s engine raises the temperatures in your garage enough to melt all the snow. And what’s left? All that salt, sand and dirt ends up on your garage floor in a damp pile that doesn’t dry too quickly because it’s sitting on uncoated concrete. Even when it dries, it’s not easy to clean up because it grabs onto the porous surface of the concrete.

Maybe It’s Time to Finally Give Your Garage Floor an Epoxy Coating

You’ve seen the do-it-yourself kits at the hardware store. An epoxy coating for your garage floor seals the concrete makes it easier to clean and it looks great. Epoxy finishes are also a good idea if you intend to use your garage for an added living or working space in your home.

But there are a few things you should know before you jump in, buy the kit and get all ready to coat your floor. Among other questions, you need answers to the following:

What is the porosity of the concrete?

If it is very smooth or has been previously coated with another type of sealant, you may need to use a diamond grinding machine to make it porous enough for the epoxy coat.

Is the floor cracked?

If so, and the cracks are large, they must be cleaned and filled with a sealant.

What will you do with the contents of your garage while you seal the floor?

It can take four to six days to prepare the floor, apply the epoxy and let it fully cure. You may need to find space elsewhere in your home or rent temporary storage.

Should you consider using a professional to do the work?

Depending on your answers to the questions above, it may be worth the added cost and time-savings to have a professional garage floor refinisher do the work for you. And many of them offer temporary storage as one of the services they provide.

Do you want to try a polyurea finish instead of epoxy?

Similar to epoxy, polyurea finishes are increasingly popular. It’s applied in similar ways as epoxy and lasts just as long, but it is far more ‘elastic’, which helps if your floor has a lot of cracks. It also cures faster and is more scratch-resistant than epoxy. The downside? It’s about three times more expensive.

The good news is that, by answering the questions above and doing things like grinding and sealing the cracks in the floor, you’re well on your way to having the job done.

Prepare the Surface of the Floor

To improve the adhesion of the epoxy and avoid the white powdery stuff that appears on the surface of unsealed concrete, you’ll need to give the floor a mild acid bath. The acid opens up the pores of the concrete, giving the epoxy more to grab.

Section the Floor

Especially if you have a two-car garage or larger, it’s wise to section the floor and do one section at a time. You can also start by doing the edging and area around the drain first and then do each of your sections.

Lay it On

While you should spread it evenly, the thicker the coat you apply, the longer the finish will last. Whatever you do, don’t try to ‘stretch’ how much epoxy you have to last for the whole floor.

Whether you go with epoxy or polyuria, you can choose from a wide range of finishes that will last longer than simple paint and make your floor look better too. And it will stand up to all that salt, sand and dirt your car brings into the garage and be easier to clean.

If you’re redoing your garage floor, it might also be a good time to consider a new garage door! Markham Garage Doors offers a wide selection of residential and commercial garage doors. To learn more or get started, call us today and request a quote!

Protective Measures for Washing Your Car in the Garage During the Winter

Avoid Unneeded Garage Door Maintenance When Washing the Car in the Garage

It is no secret that winter weather can be damaging to a vehicle, particularly the effects of road salt, sand, and frozen slush/ice on the undercarriage and side panels.  There are secondary issues to this situation as well, such as the unsightliness of an unclean vehicle and the sheer sloppiness of these materials as they thaw/drip onto the garage floor after the vehicle has been parked inside for a while.

The easier solution would be to take the vehicle to a touchless carwash or perhaps even a pay-and-spray self-service bay before heading home; but the former can be harmful to the vehicle’s finish and the latter could be inconvenient, especially on a cold winter day, and the out-of-pocket cost for either method can add up in a hurry during a particularly messy winter driving season.  Therefore, a better and more cost-efficient solution could involve washing the vehicle inside the garage, provided that the following are taken into consideration:

• There is sufficient space to work around the entire vehicle
• There is no aversion to some manual labor (hand-washing)
• Precautions are in place to protect the garage floor/contents
• Similar precautions are employed to protect the garage door

Hand-washing the vehicle would likely be the favoured method, since any water sprayed from a hose, even the finest of mists, could be deposited on personal belongings as well as the garage door and its related hardware; depending on the temperature of the air in the garage (the vast majority are unheated), this mist/spray could freeze and ultimately lead to garage door maintenance issues that would contravene/override any cost-savings from washing the car at home.

To hand-wash a vehicle when it is parked inside the garage, one will need the following products/materials:

• One bucket with hot water and car shampoo
• One bucket with warm water only (for rinsing)
• A wash mitt and drying towels (waffle-weave)
• Spray wax, spray sealant, or quick-detail spray
• Latex gloves and high-quality microfiber towels
• One floor squeegee or a wet/dry shop vacuum

While the specific brands of products/materials would certainly be left to the discretion of the vehicle owner, having a floor squeegee or shop vac on hand will be very important in the overall process.  Though not directly related to actually cleaning the vehicle, the use of either item to clear away the sludge/water that is deposited on the garage floor during the washing/rinsing stages will be critical in protecting the floor itself as well as the parts of the garage door that are in close proximity.

Allowing slush/water to accumulate and potentially freeze at the base of the garage door or its tracking can negatively affect its structural integrity and/or its operating efficiency.

Rely on Markham Garage Doors if Garage Door Maintenance is Needed in Winter

In many cases, the size of a garage, or at least the available floor space, does not lend itself to hand-washing a vehicle during the winter.  Furthermore, time and circumstances can intervene to prevent homeowners from clearing away salt, sand, or slush from their vehicle before parking it in the garage. Add to this the cold temperatures and weather conditions experienced in Markham and the GTA throughout the winter and it creates an ideal recipe for potential garage door maintenance.

When these types of materials are allowed to accumulate and/or freeze along the base of the garage door, whether, on the interior or the exterior, the door and its hardware can experience several problems that may require the garage door maintenance and repair expertise of Markham Garage Doors. Such situations can include:

• Water damage to wooden door panels
• Water damage to wooden door frames
• Door misalignment due to ice formation
• Corrosion or distortion of metal tracking
• Snapped or broken springs and/or cables
• Stress on garage door opener motors/drives
• Torn/damaged weather stripping/rubber gaskets

Should any of these circumstances occur throughout the winter, they can not only cause a good deal of inconvenience when garage door dependability is needed the most, but it can also pose safety and security risks for the family and their possessions.  To alleviate or at least minimize the worry and disruption, homeowners can rely on the garage door maintenance and repair professionals from Markham Garage Doors.  Trained technicians from Markham Garage Doors can usually provide a same-day response for all garage door maintenance needs in the winter and throughout the entire year as well.

If you experience any damage or operational issues with your garage door this winter, call the maintenance and repair experts from Markham Garage Doors today at either (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667 to schedule a service visit at your convenience.

Factors That Affect the Operation of a Garage Door in the Winter

Winter Weather Conditions Can Result in a Need for Garage Door Repair Service

After an unseasonably mild and snow-free beginning to winter, the inevitability of stormy weather and cold temperatures have finally arrived.  This means that many winter rituals have also returned, such as wearing warmer clothing, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, and stocking up on rock salt and windshield washer fluid.

Okay, these may not be rituals in the purest sense but they are common comforts and safety practices for a vast number of homeowners, in much the same way that they take solace in knowing that their garage door is working properly – especially on those bitter cold days and nights when homeowners want to enter or exit their garages quickly and effortlessly and without having to deal with the outside elements.

Unfortunately, winter weather and temperatures can conspire to derail the reliability of a garage door and hence disrupt the homeowner’s desire, make that need, for a smoothly functioning garage door throughout this season; in other words, that are climate conditions that can make a garage door bang, clang, stick, and even fail altogether during the winter, in contrast to quieter and more dependable opening-and-closing at other times of the year.

Much of the sub-par performance of a garage door in winter can be directly attributed to cold temperatures, although wind, snow, and ice, or any combinations thereof, can have adverse effects on doors and automatic door openers too.  These environmental factors can produce a number of conditions that will cause a garage door or door-opening device to malfunction or fail altogether throughout winter season:

• Metal contraction
• Wood frame contraction
• Hardening of vinyl or rubber
• Cracking/shattering of plastic
• Moisture absorption (wood doors)
• Increased viscosity of grease/lubricants

As a result of such circumstances, garage doors and their accessories may be subjected to several types of minor or major damage, including:

• Broken springs or cables
• Bent or misaligned tracking
• Cracked/split or frozen rollers
• Shifted or imbalanced door weight
• Ineffective weather stripping/gaskets
• Excessive strain on door opener motors
• Seized or corroded hardware/metal parts
• Interference with the safety reversal system setup

If any of the above issues arise throughout the winter, they will undoubtedly require the services of garage door repair professionals to rectify the matter quickly and efficiently in order to restore full function to the garage door or opener and alleviate the associated inconveniences to the homeowner and their family.

When such actions are required, homeowners can rely on the award-winning services of Markham Garage Doors, a recognized leader in the repair and replacement of garage doors in Toronto and the GTA.

Garage Door Spring Repair is a Common Consequence of Winter Temperatures

When temperatures drop, garage door springs are often prone to breaking, especially if they have been in routine use for several years.  Cold weather can cause a metal spring to stiffen or become brittle, which in turn affects its response/movement when opening or closing the door; due to the weight of the door, the affected spring experiences undue or excessive pressure, causing it to break or snap.

Whether garage doors are raised and lowered manually or by automatic door openers, it is actually the springs that do the majority of the work; therefore, when a spring breaks, it can essentially incapacitate the door and, depending on the circumstances, also cause severe damage to the door, its components, and/or its accessories.

In such cases, homeowners will benefit from the services of garage door spring repair experts like the technicians from Markham Garage Doors.  These specialists will respond quickly and efficiently to ensure that:

• The spring repair is completed in a safe and proper manner
• A thorough inspection is done to assess any residual damage
• Any other necessary repairs are addressed (cables, hardware)
• The weight of the garage door is properly balanced/re-established
• The garage door opener is inspected, reset, and tested accordingly

Furthermore, in the event that any secondary damage is sufficient enough to warrant a full garage door replacement, the team from Markham Garage Doors can expedite this action to minimize the amount of inconvenience and disruption created by the lack of a functioning door.

If the cold temperatures this winter affect the operation of your garage door, including a snapped or broken spring, call the repair specialists from Markham Garage Doors today at (416) 570-3667 or (905) 472-9178 to schedule a service call as soon as possible and limit the inconvenience that any garage door issues cause for you and your family.

How to Maintain Your Garage Throughout Winter and Its Storms

Proactive Winter Maintenance Will Help to Prevent Costly Garage Door Repairs

For many people, parking their car in the garage on a cold and blustery winter day elicits a sigh of relief that they have arrived home safe and sound.  And when the garage door is closed behind them, there can be an added sense of security that they and their family can now contentedly relax and unwind within the sanctuary of their home.

Amidst all such feelings of comfort, it is unlikely that much if any thought was given to the actual role played by the garage door itself, particularly if it was opened and closed by an automatic garage door opener.  In the vast majority of cases, homeowners would just assume that the door and the opener will function properly and as expected, to the point where many people will already have entered the home before the door was fully closed and secure.

Unfortunately, garage doors and their related hardware and accessories are not immune to malfunction or damage, and a lack of care or attention, albeit unintentional or perhaps due to more pressing priorities, can result in extensive and expensive garage door repair costs.  While disconcerting at any time of the year, the inconvenience and frustrations of garage door failures/repairs can tend to be further magnified during the winter months.

There are several benefits to homeowners in protecting their garage door and the garage itself from the effects of winter’s bitterly cold temperatures and severe weather/storms.  These benefits would include:

• Assurance of reliability
• Avoiding unnecessary repairs
• Increasing energy efficiencies
• Extending the lifecycle of the door
• Safeguarding of home and property
• Reducing the risks of personal injury

In order to lay the foundation for the above, homeowners would be well-advised to take precautionary steps both in the fall and throughout the winter months as follows:

• Fall Garage Door Inspection and Maintenance
  • Lubricate all moving parts (except rollers/tracking)
  • Inspect and replace weather stripping if/as needed
  • Brush/wipe rollers/tracking and tighten all hardware
  • Ensure that garage door opener is working optimally
  • Upgrade the insulation (for steel and aluminum doors)
  • Paint/stain/seal exterior of the garage door accordingly
  • Repair or replace damaged door panels or window inserts
• Winter Garage and Garage Door Maintenance
  • Keep garage floor dry – collect/remove melted snow/ice
  • Prevent snow and ice build-up along the base of the door
  • Sweep away any road salt or sand from the base of door/tracks
  • Listen for strain in the motor/drive system of garage door opener
  • Watch/listen for sluggish, noisy, or imbalanced door movement

Applying these proactive maintenance measures throughout the fall and winter months can alleviate the inconvenience of a malfunctioning garage door or garage door opener as well as the expense associated with their repair.  Furthermore, should any potential or existing issues be identified during the inspection and maintenance phases, homeowners can prevent more extensive costly and damage by contacting a professional garage door repair provider, such as Markham Garage Doors, without delay.

Comprehensive Garage Door Repair and New Garage Door Installation Services

Sometimes, despite homeowners taking all of the right steps/measures, winter weather and storms can still get an upper hand on a garage door, in a manner of speaking, hence creating a need for service/repairs.  Depending on the extent of any damage, installation of a new door could be the best and/or only solution.

With respect to garage door repair, the skilled technicians from Markham Garage Doors are fully trained to service all makes and models of doors.  The Markham Garage Doors team can customarily provide same-day response to address and repair such issues as:

• Broken garage door springs and cables
• Malfunctioning/non-functioning door openers
• Doors that have jammed/come off the tracks
• Doors damaged via accidents/wind-blown debris
• Weather stripping flawed by icy/freezing conditions

In the event that a new garage door installation is required, Markham Garage Doors also offers a comprehensive selection of doors from leading manufacturers in North America, across all styles and price ranges, to meet varying homeowner needs.  The extent of this inventory can be viewed online or by a visit to their 1000 square-foot showroom, located at 176 Bullock Drive, Unit 11, in Markham.

Winter weather/storms can be especially detrimental to the condition and operation of a garage door.  If you would like a pre-winter garage door inspection and a tune-up or find yourself in need of repair or installation services over the winter, call the specialists at Markham Garage Doors at (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667 to book a service visit.

Inspect Your Garage Door and Weather Stripping in Preparation for the Winter

Although the warm weather has continued beyond the official arrival of the fall season, it will not be too long before the bitter winds and cold temperatures of winter make their annual appearance.  While many Toronto residents may be secretly hoping for a weather phenomenon that would make the winter season disappear, a pragmatic view would say that now is the time to ready their home and property for the inevitability of the season.

Consequently, many area homeowners have already begun the processes of closing the pool, covering the air conditioner, and storing the patio furniture.  However, one aspect of their preparations that is often overlooked in the winterization of their garage.

While it might not always be considered part of a home’s actual living space, the garage can be a source of increased energy consumption and costs, especially during the cold winter months.  Furthermore, the garage will often be used as a means of entry and exit by family members during the winter in Toronto so it will be important to ensure that the garage door is well maintained and functioning properly during the cold weather season.

Several actions should be considered/taken in relation to garage winterization, including:

• Garage door tune-up
  • A pre-winter garage door inspection will identify any potential issues/repair needs
  • All hardware and moving parts should be cleaned and/or lubricated prior to winter
  • This garage door tune-up reduces the risk of any inopportune operational failures
• Garage door insulation
  • Older wood or steel garage doors are generally non-insulated (high energy loss)
  • Add insulation to their interior sides using foam board (wood) or fiberglass (steel)
  • Note – ensure that added weight does not compromise operation of door opener
• Garage door weather stripping
  • What is its present condition? Are there any gaps and/or signs of tearing, aging?
  • Replacing the weather stripping will prevent or limit entry of cold wind, snow, ice
• Garage door replacement (based on specific circumstances as well as affordability)
  • This could be an alternative to adding insulation to older wood/steel garage doors
  • Replacing a door that is in poor condition/disrepair can help with energy efficiency
  • Can also avert potentially costly repairs and improve family safety/home security

Garage door tune-ups, insulation upgrades, and replacement of weather stripping are all garage winterization procedures that can be performed by homeowners who may be so inclined.  Conversely, to ensure that these activities are completed in a thorough and efficient manner, they can be entrusted to the specialists from Markham Garage Doors.

In addition, should the garage door inspection uncover the need for repairs or a full door replacement, the trained technicians Markham Garage Door can provide these services in a timely and affordable fashion.

Garage Winterization Can Offer Substantial Benefits to Toronto Homeowners

From an overall perspective, garage winterization can provide homeowners with several substantial benefits.  These include, in no particular order:

• Improvements in energy efficiency
• Confidence in garage door operation
• Protection of both family and property
• Prevention of unnecessary repair costs

To this end, Markham Garage Doors can help to optimize these benefits by providing the following services in relation to preparing a garage for the winter season:

• Comprehensive inspections
• Complete garage door tune-ups
• Garage door/door opener repairs
• Replacement of weather stripping
• Insulation of existing garage doors
• Installing replacement garage doors

To ensure that your garage is prepared and garage door is well maintained for the arrival of winter, call the experts at Markham Garage Doors today at either (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667 to schedule your garage door inspection and winterization services as soon as possible.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Garage Doors

Garage Door Maintenance Should Be Part of Your Springtime Property Clean-Up

Many homeowners look forward to the return of spring weather so they can begin their annual property clean-up practices.  Part of these so-called rituals includes an inspection of the lawn, landscaping, and home exterior to assess the extent of any winter damage and develop a plan-of-attack to get the property in order as quickly as possible.

Very often, however, homeowners might overlook critical components of their home that should also be inspected and receive the proper attention and maintenance required to keep them in optimal working condition – one such feature is the garage door.  Garage doors are expected to be reliable at all times, and the commitment to regular inspections and tune-ups will go a long way toward ensuring that dependability.

There are several basic elements to performing springtime garage door maintenance.  These steps consist of:

• Discern the overall efficiency of operation (assess sound and motion)
• Check tracks for dents, damage, misalignment and repair as needed
• Tighten any and all hardware if/as required – screws, nuts, bolts, etc.
• Lubricate all rollers, hinges, latches with an appropriate type of spray
• Brush off dust and grime from cables and torsion or extension springs
• Wipe the inside of all tracking with a damp cloth, then with a dry cloth
• Examine rollers for wearing, cracks, alignment and replace as needed
• Inspect all weather stripping for its efficiency around perimeter of door
• Evaluate the state of the door and any repair dents, chips, rusting, etc.

If a garage door opener has been installed, it should also be included in the garage door maintenance process.  This device is a major contributor to garage door reliability, with an added emphasis on personal safety and security, and should therefore receive its due attention as well.  Actions to be considered and/or taken in this regard would include:

• Lubricate pulleys, chain, belt, or screw accordingly with a proper spray
• Assess the door balance (performed when the opener is disconnected)
• Check and readjust the travel limits of the door for opening and closing
• Inspect alignment of the safety sensors – test the auto-reverse feature
• Examine infrared eyes on opener and all remotes – replace if scratched

In most instances, the above steps can be completed in do-it-yourself fashion by either the homeowner or another member of the family.  And this level of care and attention will help in the day-to-day functioning of a garage door as well as extending its lifecycle.

However, there may be circumstances identified within the inspection and maintenance processes where the use of professional garage door services may be required, such as the discovery of loose/frayed garage door cables that need to be changed due to an apparent loss of tension in a torsion spring.  Should these types of situations arise, any parts replacement or repairs that are required are best left to trained technicians, like the specialists from Markham Garage Doors.

Call an Expert Garage Door Services Provider for All Your Garage Door Needs

While some homeowners might be rather comfortable performing their own garage door inspections and maintenance, others could be more confident and/or more motivated to use an established and experienced garage door services provider such as Markham Garage Doors.

Markham Garage Doors has been ranked by its customers as the number one garage door repair company in the Greater Toronto Area.  In addition to annual inspections and essential garage door maintenance/tune-ups, the technicians from Markham Garage Doors have the expertise to provide services including but not limited to the following:

• Installation of new doors and capping
• Repair of broken springs and/or cables
• Installation/repair of automatic openers
• Repair/replacement of damaged panels
• Removal/installation of weather stripping
• Replacement of cracked/broken windows
• Balancing/resetting doors out of alignment

For all your garage door installation, repair, or maintenance needs, call the specialists from Markham Garage Doors today at either (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667 to discuss your specific requirements and/or arrange a service visit at your convenience.

Open A Frozen Garage Door With Caution To Avoid Potentially Costly Repairs

Despite the best intentions of homeowners with respect to their garage door winterizing and maintenance, Mother Nature seems to a find way to circumvent these precautionary steps. One such side effect of her winter’s wrath is a garage door that has been frozen shut, usually at the most inopportune time possible – like the day that a family member needs the car to attend a major meeting, an important medical appointment, or a mid-term exam.

If, or when, this situation occurs, homeowners can virtually be assured of the following:

• That many other homeowners are most likely experiencing the same issue
• That many other homeowners will be calling a service provider for repairs
• That many crews will be providing garage door repairs non-stop

Fortunately, in some respects, homeowners can pursue several do-it-yourself options to open a frozen garage door and forego paying for a licensed repair service. Any/all of these options should, however, be attempted with caution and patience in mind, or there could likely become costly garage door repairs.

Some of the steps that can be attempted or applied by homeowners looking/needing to open a frozen garage door include:

For garage doors with automatic openers:

• Reset pressure adjustment slightly (if the option is available) and try the opener
• If not effective, pull release cord that allows the door to be opened manually

For all garage doors – one or more of the following actions may be needed:

• Pull up on the door with moderate pressure to see if the ice seal will release
• Use a scraper to chip away/remove ice from the bottom edge of the door
• If time permits, apply a heat source (blow dryer, space heater) to melt ice
• Pour warm/hot water along the base of the door (may need to be repeated)

As stated previously, a lack of precaution, with or without an added dose of impatience, can result in unwanted costs for garage door repairs – not to mention a potentially longer delay in getting the car out of the garage. Some of the following not-so-helpful actions might be better avoided:

• Applying rock salt – especially along the base of a metal door
• Using a pry bar to try and lift the door – may impact door balance
• Jamming the scraper under the door – can damage the rubber seal
• Hammering/kicking the base of the door – may cause extensive harm
• Repeated use of the automatic opener can lead to overheating/failure

With attention to detail and measures of time and tolerance, a frozen garage door can be opened without the need for a garage door service company. However, if there are doubts about this process, Markham Garage Doors can be contacted to resolve the problem.

Use A Garage Door Repair Service To Restore Optimal Performance In The Winter

In addition to freezing rain/icy conditions, there are several reasons why a garage door will not open during the winter, such as:

• Faulty automatic openers
• Broken springs
• Broken cables
• Twisted/bent tracks
• Weight imbalance
• Rusted/corroded hardware
• Accidents/weather damage

The expert technicians from Markham Garage Doors can quickly and accurately assess the reason/reasons why your garage door will not open, then recommend and perform the necessary repairs to restore its use and alleviate the associated inconvenience and frustration.

If you experience any difficulties in getting your garage door to operate properly in winter weather, including a door that is stubbornly frozen, call the garage specialists at Markham Garage Doors today at (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667 for fast and affordable same-day service.

How To Keep Your Garage Floor Dry In The Winter To Prevent Property Damage

Pulling into the driveway on a cold and stormy winter day, many/most homeowners will likely want to keep warm by parking their car in the garage and entering the dry and comfort of their home as quickly as possible. Perhaps one of the last thoughts on their mind is stepping out in the cold winter air to clear any snow, ice, road salt, or gravel from the exterior and underside of the vehicle before parking it in the garage.

Because the temperature inside the garage is most likely warmer than the outside air, all of this accumulated material will melt as the car rests in the garage overnight. However, since the material cannot evaporate or dissipate on its own, it collects on the floor – and a repeat of this parking process on a daily basis, therefore, makes it difficult to keep the garage dry in the winter months.

However, it is important to maintain/dry a garage floor for several reasons, including:

• Protecting the integrity of the floor from pitting, staining, etc.
• Prohibiting property damage due to the spread of moisture
• Personal safety – to prevent slipping/falling on a wet surface

There are a number of ways to keep a garage floor dry in the winter; some of these steps are preventative/proactive in nature while others are more reactive once the wet materials/water have accumulated. These actions may consist of:

Preventative

• Inspect the exterior garage walls for cracks or possible leaks
• Ensure that there are no drainage issues along exterior walls
• Pull stored items away from interior walls – look for signs of water damage
• For sloped driveways, keep drainage/sewer grates clear of debris and ice
• Install new or replacement weather stripping around the garage door
• Properly maintain door so it closes tightly/securely along the bottom edge

Reactive

• Use a squeegee to push accumulated water/slush out of the garage
• Mop and dry the floor to soak up melted snow and ice
• Water and solid debris can be collected with a wet/dry shop vacuum
• A fan can be used to, in essence, blow-dry a garage floor
• Place old floor mats under snow blowers and shovels to contain melting
• Park vehicles on large containment mats
• Position vinyl protector strips along the wheel tracks of the vehicle
• Use cardboard along the wheel tracks (may need to replace frequently)

Short of cleaning and brushing off a vehicle before parking it in the garage, investing the time will be an integral part of maintaining this area of the home in a safe and functional manner.

Keep A Dry Garage This Winter To Prevent Unnecessary Garage Door Repairs

In addition to protecting the integrity of your garage floor and your personal property, homeowners will need to safeguard the garage door itself against damage from accumulated water, ice, and salt.

When these materials are allowed to migrate and accumulate near the base of the door, several types of structural or mechanical issues may occur, such as:

• Water damage to the base of a wooden door
• Door lifting/misalignment due to ice formation
• Salt can lead to corrosion of tracks/cables/rollers
• The door may not close or lock properly
• Negative impact on spring tension or automatic opener

Should any such situations be encountered throughout the winter, garage door repair professionals like Markham Garage Doors can address and rectify the problems quickly and efficiently. Our team can schedule service visits at your convenience or with a same-day response, depending on the extent of the damage to your door.

If you are concerned or suspect that your garage door has suffered damage from water, ice, or salt accumulation, call the specialists at Markham Garage Doors today at either (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667 to book your no-obligation consultation.