The fall checklist
- Bottom seal. Replace it if it’s torn, flattened or cracked. It keeps out water, snow and drafts.
- Lubricate springs, hinges and roller bearings with a garage door lubricant. Don’t grease the tracks.
- Balance test. With the door closed and the opener disconnected, lift it halfway. It should stay put.
- Look at the springs for gaps, rust or stretched coils.
- Opener check. Test the auto-reverse and make sure the sensors aren’t fogged or out of line.
- Weatherstripping on the sides and top.
A tune-up covers all of this. Published Long Island prices started around $125.
When the door freezes shut
- Don’t keep pressing the button. The opener can strip a gear or tear the seal.
- Clear snow and slush from the threshold.
- Free the seal with a plastic scraper or warm air, then try again.
- Once it’s open, dry the threshold so it doesn’t refreeze.
Springs: check them before the cold sets in
Springs are rated by cycles, not years. If yours are original or you can’t remember when they were last replaced, have them checked before the coldest months, when you least want to be stuck. Both springs ran $200 – $475 on published Long Island prices. See spring replacement.
Need it done? Call for garage door tune-up & maintenance on Long Island. Local guides: garage door repair in Smithtown, garage door repair in Patchogue.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my garage door freeze to the ground?
Water or snow melts under the bottom seal and refreezes. Clear snow and water from the threshold, and don't force the opener: it can tear the seal or strain the springs. A plastic scraper or warm air helps free it.
Should I lubricate my garage door in winter?
Yes, with a garage door lubricant that stays thin in the cold. Thick grease stiffens and makes the opener work harder.
How do I know if my springs need replacing before winter?
Count your daily opens and closes. Standard torsion springs are commonly rated around 10,000 cycles, which is about 7 years at four cycles a day. If yours are older than that, or show rust or a gap, have them checked.