Winter in Calgary brings its fair share of challenges for homeowners, especially when it comes to garage doors. As temperatures plummet, certain components like springs and tracks endure extra strain. Therefore, understanding how cold weather impacts your garage door is vital for year-round safety and performance.
At My Garage Door Services, we specialize in diagnosing and repairing these winter-specific issues. In other words, you can trust our team to protect one of the most crucial entry points of your home. Let’s dive into how winter affects your garage door springs and tracks, and what you can do to stay ahead of costly problems.
Why Calgary’s Winter Puts Extra Stress on Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are responsible for counterbalancing the door’s weight, ensuring smooth movement up and down. However, cold temperatures cause metal to contract, making the springs more brittle and prone to breakage. Consequently, homeowners often find their garage door suddenly failing during the coldest months.
Above all, regular inspections before winter hits can help identify weakening springs early. Moreover, lubricating the springs with winter-grade lubricants maintains flexibility despite the frigid conditions. My Garage Door Services strongly recommends checking your springs at the start of each Calgary winter season.
For example, a torsion spring in mild weather can last 10,000 cycles, but freezing conditions can reduce its lifespan dramatically. To clarify, a cycle is one full opening and closing of the door. When temperatures plunge below -15°C, the tension in your springs becomes a ticking time bomb if left unattended.
On the other hand, not all spring failures result from temperature alone. Aging, rust, and poor maintenance also contribute significantly. In addition, when ice buildup happens around the door, springs are forced to work harder, accelerating wear.
The Hidden Dangers Winter Poses to Garage Door Tracks
Tracks are the rails that guide your garage door’s movement. Meanwhile, during the winter, moisture can seep into track joints and freeze, causing expansion that misaligns the entire system. As a result, a garage door can become stuck or dangerously off-track.
Most importantly, a misaligned or frozen track creates safety hazards for your family and vehicles. Furthermore, trying to force a stuck door can cause further damage to rollers, panels, and even your garage opener system. At My Garage Door Services, we’ve seen minor issues escalate quickly into major repairs because of delayed winter maintenance.
For instance, the freezing and thawing cycles in Calgary can repeatedly loosen bolts and brackets. Similarly, snowmelt can rust the metal in areas where protective coatings have worn thin. That is to say, even minor track defects demand immediate attention in cold months.
But winter maintenance isn’t only about repairs. Proper preparation can prevent 90% of track-related emergencies. In short, proactive maintenance with a professional team is a small investment compared to the high cost of emergency repairs.
How Weather Fluctuations Impact Both Springs and Tracks
Calgary is known for its sudden weather shifts, such as Chinooks that cause rapid temperature spikes. After that, temperatures can plunge again just as quickly, putting springs and tracks through cycles of contraction and expansion. Consequently, this continuous stress weakens structural integrity over time.
Secondly, fluctuating temperatures promote condensation inside garages, even if the garage is attached and insulated. In addition, water droplets can form inside the track system, freezing overnight and warping the alignment.
We recommend installing weather seals and maintaining proper insulation to stabilize internal garage temperatures. Likewise, smart garage door openers with temperature sensors can alert you to environmental changes that may affect your door’s operation.
For example, if condensation is caught early, a quick wipe-down and dry lubricant can prevent rust. However, if neglected, water damage to tracks and springs will eventually lead to a complete door failure, often during the worst weather possible.
In conclusion, winter’s weather swings are just as threatening to your garage door as the deep freezes themselves. Scheduling routine maintenance checks ensures your door remains reliable through every freeze-thaw cycle.
Tips to Winter-Proof Your Garage Door Springs and Tracks
Firstly, perform a visual inspection at least once a month during winter. Look for rust, misalignment, or broken springs. In addition, check for gaps between tracks and walls, and listen for grinding noises when the door moves.
Secondly, lubricate all moving parts with winter-approved garage door lubricant. Regular oils often thicken or freeze, making mechanical parts sticky or immobile. Moreover, clean off any old grime or salt deposits before applying fresh lubricant.
Thirdly, ensure your weather stripping is intact. That is to say, any cracks or gaps in seals allow cold air and moisture to enter, affecting springs and tracks alike.
Above all, never attempt major repairs yourself. Garage door springs are under enormous tension, and mishandling them can result in serious injury. Consequently, contacting professionals like My Garage Door Services is the safest approach for winter repairs and maintenance.
You can easily book your service appointment here to have our experts assess your system before trouble starts.
Meanwhile, keeping a maintenance log helps you track when inspections, repairs, and lubrications happen. Subsequently, you’ll always know when another check-up is due, maximizing your door’s lifespan.
Why Choose My Garage Door Services for Your Winter Garage Needs?
At My Garage Door Services, we understand Calgary’s harsh winters better than anyone. Therefore, we tailor our maintenance and repair plans to account for local weather patterns and challenges.
For instance, we use lubricants that remain effective in subzero temperatures. Similarly, we recommend reinforced steel tracks that withstand freezing and thawing without warping. Our preventative maintenance packages are designed to offer peace of mind through every winter season.
In the same vein, our technicians undergo specialized winter training to handle seasonal problems efficiently. To clarify, winter garage door repair is not the same as routine maintenance in warmer months.
Most importantly, when you work with My Garage Door Services, you’re investing in long-term reliability. We believe it’s better to prevent a failure than to repair a catastrophic one. Moreover, we treat your garage like it’s part of our own home, ensuring every bolt, spring, and track meets the highest safety standards.
You can learn more about us here and see why Calgary homeowners trust us year after year.
FAQs
How does cold weather make springs more likely to break?
Cold weather makes metal contract, increasing brittleness and tension inside the springs. Therefore, they are more susceptible to sudden breaks during Calgary winters.
Can frozen garage door tracks cause the door to come off?
Yes, frozen moisture in tracks can cause misalignment. As a result, a garage door can slip off the track and become dangerously unstable.
How often should I schedule winter maintenance for my garage door?
We recommend scheduling professional inspections twice during winter. For instance, once before winter begins and once mid-season to catch any developing problems.
Is it safe to lubricate garage door springs myself?
It is safe if you are applying lubricant carefully and without disturbing spring tension. However, for major lubrication or adjustment, it is safest to call My Garage Door Services.
What signs indicate my garage door tracks need repairs?
Grinding noises, uneven movement, or visible gaps between tracks and the wall usually indicate a problem. In conclusion, immediate professional service is needed to avoid further damage.
