Seasonal maintenance isn’t just for your garden or your wardrobe – it’s vital for your garage too! The fall presents its own set of unique challenges, from fluctuating temperatures to falling leaves. So, is your garage ready for it? Your garage will soon face cold temperatures and potentially icy conditions. Moreover, those beautiful autumn leaves, while picturesque, can pose a significant threat to the proper functioning and longevity of your garage components.
Weather Stripping
Weatherstripping might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of garage components, but its role is paramount, especially as seasons change. Its primary function is to create a tight seal between your garage door and its frame, acting as a barrier against external elements. As we delve deeper into the significance of weather stripping, it becomes evident just how vital it is for both the comfort and efficiency of your garage.
A well-sealed garage door is crucial in maintaining the internal temperature of the garage. As autumn approaches and temperatures drop a properly sealed garage ensures that the warmth generated from your home heating system, or any heating elements within the garage, is retained. Conversely, it also acts as a barricade, preventing the cold outside air from seeping in. The result? A cozy environment inside and reduced energy bills, as your heating system doesn’t have to work overtime to compensate for the lost warmth.
So, how do you determine if your weather stripping is past its prime? A visual inspection is the first step. Look for signs of brittleness, cracks, or sections that are no longer snugly attached to the door. Another simple test is the “light test.” On a sunny day, with the garage lights turned off, if you see sunlight seeping in through the edges of the closed door, the stripping isn’t sealing effectively. If your weather stripping is not sealing properly, you might want to read our article, Water is Coming Under My Garage Door: Causes and Solutions.
Falling Leaves
Leaves, especially when they begin to fall in abundance, can find their way into various nooks and crannies of your garage setup. One primary concern is the gutters adjacent to or on your garage. If these become clogged with leaves, water can overflow, causing potential damage to your garage’s exterior and foundation. This standing water, trapped by leaves, can further cause the gutters to sag or even break.
But the concern isn’t limited to just the gutters. Garage door tracks are integral for smooth operation, and accumulated leaves can hinder this. Leaves stuck in these tracks can prevent the door from sealing properly, allowing cold drafts and pests inside. Additionally, the debris can cause unnecessary wear on the door’s rollers and other moving parts.
Temperature Fluctuations
Autumn, with its gentle whisper of winter approaching, is characterized by unpredictable weather patterns. From warm, sunny afternoons to chilly evenings, fall’s daily temperature swings can be dramatic and sudden.
All materials, be it metal, wood, or plastic, have a natural tendency to expand with heat and contract with cold. The repeated daily cycle of warming and cooling in the fall means that the components of your garage door are constantly adjusting.
The expansion and contraction can lead to misalignment issues. Think of the rails or tracks that your garage door runs on. A slight misalignment, caused by temperature-induced expansion, can make your garage door’s operation less smooth. It might even jam or become stuck. Similarly, the brackets, bolts, and other fastenings can loosen over time due to these fluctuations.
So, what can be done? Firstly, routine inspection during the fall months is crucial. Pay close attention to the alignment of tracks, the tightness of bolts and screws, and the overall condition of your garage door’s parts. Secondly, consider investing in temperature-resistant lubricants and materials that are specially designed to withstand temperature fluctuations.
Your Garage Needs Fall Maintenance
We hope this guide helps you understand if your garage needs fall maintenance. Jim Beam’s Garage Doors of Fort Collins can help you with getting your garage ready for fall and winter. Whether it’s proper lubrication or replacing a failing garage door spring, our friendly and professional team can help!
If you don’t know already, Jim Beam’s Garage Doors is one of the top-rated garage door installers and garage door repair services in the Northern Colorado area. With over 148+ reviews on Google and an average rating of 4.9 stars and top-rated status on HomeAdvisor, you can trust Jim Beam’s to do the job right the first time. Get a fast and free estimate on your garage repair, garage maintenance, or garage door installation today by contacting us!
