When the weather outside becomes frightfully cold, you can always retreat to the comforts of hot soup and a cozy open fire. Your garage door, on the other hand, has no other choice than to brave the elements no matter how far temperatures plummet. Needless to say, chilly winter weather can have plenty of drastic effects on how your garage door not only operates, but also lasts throughout the rest of the season.

The following outlines some of the impacts that severe cold can have on your garage door. You'll also learn a few ways to mitigate these issues to maintain a well-functioning garage door.

Damaged Weatherstripping

Have you ever tried to open your garage door on a chilly morning, only to discover it won't budge a single inch? You might finally get it open after a few forceful tries, only to discover that the garage door's weatherstripping is torn to shreds. It's a common problem that occurs due to snow and ice buildup practically gluing the rubber weatherstripping to the cold ground.

Fortunately, all it takes to avoid this problem is a little heat and a little patience. If frozen weatherstripping has your garage door frozen shut, sweep snow away from the door and use a hair dryer to melt the ice away. Afterwards, keep the base of the door clear of any snow before it has an opportunity to stick to the door.

Brittle Garage Door Springs

Metal components like garage door springs rely on their strength and resilience to work properly and enjoy a long life. Cold temperatures can turn these otherwise ductile metals brittle, making them more susceptible to cracking or shattering during operation. It's not unusual for garage door springs to suffer catastrophic failures throughout the winter due to cold temperatures damaging already-weak springs.

Keep an eye on your garage door springs and keep them properly lubricated throughout the year. If your garage door springs are on their last legs, have a seasoned professional replace them before cold weather arrives.

Hardened Grease

Cold temperatures can harden certain types of grease, making it more difficult to open and close your garage door while leaving metal components vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Hardened grease can also congeal into small piles in certain areas of the track and rollers, preventing effective lubrication while creating an unpleasant mess.

Consider using a silicone lubricant instead of heavy grease to lubricate moving parts. Most silicone-based lubricants work well in cold weather, making them more effective than heavy-duty grease or engine oil.

Rust and Corrosion

While it's not a direct result of cold weather, rust and corrosion buildup are issues that could pop up during cold weather, especially in areas that regularly experience heavy snowfall. Snow and slush can contain corrosive contaminants like road salt, which in turn can be tracked into the garage when parking your vehicle inside. These corrosive contaminants, combined with increased moisture, can cause your garage door's unprotected metal components to rust or corrode. If you find rust on your garage door, contact a company that provides residential garage door repair services for assistance.