Unfreezing Your Garage Door in Cold Weather

 Posted on January 16, 2024 in Garage Doors

During the winter months, it is common for garage doors to freeze shut due to extreme cold temperatures. Before attempting any solutions, it is important to determine whether your entire garage door is frozen or just specific parts such as the seals or tracks. This will help you choose the most effective method of unfreezing.

• Frozen Seals: If you notice that your garage door feels stuck when trying to open it but there are no visible obstructions, chances are that the weatherstripping seals around the edges of your door have frozen shut.
• Frozen Tracks: If you notice that one side of your garage door is higher or lower than usual when attempting to open it, or if the door jerks or sticks during movement, then ice build-up in the tracks may be causing freezing issues.

Tips for Unfreezing Your Garage Door

Before you try any of these methods, it is important to first shovel any snow that may have accumulated outside of your garage door. This will help to eliminate any snow build up causing the door to stick, but it will also give you a clear path to work on your garage. If you are faced with a frozen garage door, here are some effective techniques you can try.

• Break up Ice Formation: If you have noticed your garage door seal is frozen shut, first try to gently chip away the ice that has accumulated. This can be done with a small mallet or car ice scraper. It is important to make sure you are gentle and careful so you do not accidentally damage your garage door.
• Add Heat: Use a hairdryer or heat gun to direct warm air at areas where ice has formed on seals and tracks. Be cautious not to overheat components made from plastic or rubber, as excessive heat could cause them to warp or melt. Keep the heat source moving constantly to prevent any damage.
• Ice Melt Solution: Apply an ice melt solution or a gentle de-icing agent on the seals and tracks of your garage door. Be sure to use a product that is safe for the materials used in your garage door construction. Allow sufficient time for the solution to work before attempting to open the door.
• Lubricate Moving Parts: Once you have unfrozen your garage door, it is important to lubricate all moving parts such as rollers, hinges, and tracks with a silicone-based lubricant. This type of garage door lubricant is less likely to become frozen and it will help prevent future issues by reducing friction and improving movement.

If you have tried these methods but still cannot unfreeze your garage door safely or effectively, it is best to contact an experienced garage repair technician. They will have skills and tools necessary for diagnosing and fixing various garage door freezing issues that may be beyond DIY solutions. Whether the problem involves repairing damaged weatherstripping, realigning misaligned tracks, or assessing other potential underlying problems, they will help to resolve issues for both manual and automatic systems.

Contact Our Chicago Area Garage Experts For All Your Garage Needs

If you are dealing with a frozen garage door during extreme cold temperatures in the Illinois area, do not hesitate to reach out to our team at 630-852-8485. Our skilled garage builders have years of experience handling various types of garage door repairs. You can also reach out to our Downers Grove garage experts through our online contact form.