Overhead Door Company of Brookfield™ Blog

Winterizing is a key part of any home’s annual maintenance, but if your garage door is overlooked, the results can be inconvenient and even dangerous. As temperatures plummet during the winter months, without proper garage door maintenance, you or your family could be stuck in your garage, or even worse — stuck outside.

Here are a few common garage door issues homeowners encounter in cold weather, along with the steps to safely resolve the issue and protect your garage door.

Check Your Garage Door Opener

If your garage door is not working properly and you have an automatic garage door opener, disconnect the opener and try to open the door manually. If the door opens fine, the issue could be related to your opener. Check the batteries for your opener’s remote, reconnect the opener, and try again.

If the door still doesn’t work, call your local Overhead Door™ Brand Distributor, as they can further diagnose issues related to your opener and power supply. Some opener issues may require a trained professional for safety purposes or to maintain any warranties that your opener may have. Always disconnect the opener when the garage door is in the closed position.

Garage Door Won’t Open or Is Very Difficult and Heavy When Trying to Lift

If your garage door won’t open manually, or it feels like it weighs a ton, you may have a broken spring. This happens more often in the winter/colder months because spring wire becomes more brittle and therefore weakens in colder temperatures.

If you’ve recently opened or closed your door and heard a popping noise, that may have been your spring breaking. If your spring is broken, you may be able to see the long coil above your garage door split into two pieces.

Garage door springs are usually rated for 10,000 cycles, with each cycle being an open and close of the door. If you have lived in your home for 7 years or longer, use your garage door daily, and have never replaced your springs, we recommend having them replaced to avoid being unable to open your door, either being stuck outside or inside your garage.

If you suspect your spring is broken, call your Overhead Door™ Brand Distributor right away. This repair must be handled by a professional, as attempting to repair this on your own could result in serious injury.

Garage Door Is Frozen Shut

If your garage door is stuck and you see ice or snow around the bottom of the door, your door could be frozen to the concrete. This happens when your bottom weatherseal sits in water or wet snow that eventually freezes when the temperature drops.

To fix a frozen garage door, gently chip away at the ice or use warm water to melt the ice. Raise your garage door, then clean and dry the area to prevent the door from refreezing when you’ve finished.

With a frozen garage door, it is very important to also know what not to do that may damage your door:

Do not try to force your door open and break the ice. This could rip your weatherseal, which will allow water, snow, and cold air into your garage. At that point you’ve simply traded one garage door problem for another more permanent one.

Do not use ice melt on your door, especially if it is a metal door. This can damage the door. Because many homeowners use ice melt during the winter months, if it gets on your door be sure to clean the door as soon as you can. Waxing your door can be a great way to prevent ice melt from sticking to your door.

Do not use “folk remedies” from friends or neighbors before checking with your Overhead Door™ Brand Distributor. Over the years, we’ve heard many recommendations, from the seemingly clever to the downright strange, but what works for one garage door may cause damage to another due to different materials and environments. Your Overhead Door™ Distributor can provide the guidance you need to get your door running smoothly.

Garage Door Opens Partially or Doesn’t Roll Smoothly

If your door opens but doesn’t roll smoothly or gets stuck at a certain spot in the track, it could be a lubricant issue on the rollers or in the track. As the temperature drops, lubricant can harden and get gunky, causing issues when you try to open or close your door. Applying a grease solvent to the moving parts of your door can remove any hardened lubricant.

Do not use WD-40 on your garage door as this lubricant can cause problems for your door in cold weather. Also, do not lubricate your nylon garage door rollers, which are typically black or white.

Still having issues?

Use our dealer locator to find a local Overhead Door™ Brand garage door dealer to help service or repair your doors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Overhead Door Company of Brookfield

549 Federal Road, Brookfield CT 06804

203-740-7691

sales@ohdbrookfield.com

May Is Garage Door Safety Month – Look, Listen, Learn & Remember

[Brookfield, CT] (5/2/2024) – May is Garage Door Safety Month, an initiative of the International Door Association (IDA). To keep you and your family safe, Overhead Door Company of Brookfield in Brookfield, CT is participating in Garage Door Safety Month this May and is available to discuss important safety issues, tips for garage door safety, and how to prevent getting scammed by unreputable contractors in the industry.

“Overhead Door Company of Brookfield has been in Brookfield for over 30 years,” says Mark Hunihan. “We care about the safety of our customers and want to help keep families safe. As of late, individuals have been imitating reputable companies and providing poor service, bait and switch tactics, and overcharging people. We want people to know Overhead Door Company of Brookfield is here to help.”

 

Overhead Door Company of Brookfield offers easy to remember tips for garage door safety:

1. LOOK at the garage door, springs, cables and rollers for wear and tear
2. LISTEN for grinding or scraping sounds
3. LEARN to:
   • Keep the garage door opener and remote control out of reach of children
   • Keep fingers and hands away from door sections and moving doors
   • Keep garage doors closed and remote controls out of sight to deter theft
4. REMEMBER if you find any concerns regarding your garage door, contact a trained garage door professional and research thoroughly to avoid getting scammed.

 

If you suspect any problems with your door system and need a qualified dealer, contact Overhead Door Company of Brookfield at 203-740-7691. You can also email us at sales@ohdbrookfield.com or check out our website at www.overheaddoorbrookfield.com

Overhead Door™ Brands New Artisan Wood Grain™ Finish

Carbon Oak Plank Thermacore^® Garage Door

When it comes to enhancing the curb appeal of your home, few things make a bigger impact than your garage door. With Overhead Door™ Brand’s new Artisan Wood Grain™ Finishes, you can now achieve the timeless beauty of real wood without compromising on durability. These innovative finishes combine the best of both worlds by offering the stunning look of wood with the strength and insulation of steel. Explore how these plank doors can elevate the style and functionality of your garage

Overhead Door™ Brand has amplified its finish options on the Thermacore® Model 5740 and Windstorm™ Model 5745 by introducing a digitally printed, non-repeating grain that closely mimics the natural appeal of real wood. The intricate patterns and textures give your garage door an authentic wooden plank door look, adding warmth and character to your home’s exterior. Whether you prefer the neutral tones of the Beachwood Plank, the rustic charm of our Cedar Plank, the rich tones of the Medium Oak Plank, or the classic elegance of a Carbon Oak Plank, these finishes will suit any style.

Overhead Door™ brand understands that every home is unique, and our Artisan Wood Grain™ Finishes offer a high degree of customization to match your aesthetic and architectural style. With four grain patterns to choose from and many window placement options, you can personalize your garage door to seamlessly blend with your home. Whether you want a modern, contemporary look or a traditional, timeless appeal, these finishes create a visually stunning focal point.

One of the significant advantages of Overhead Door™ brand plank door finishes is their low maintenance requirements compared to traditional wood garage doors. The digitally printed grain is resistant to fading and discoloration, ensuring that your garage door remains vibrant and beautiful with minimal effort. The durable steel construction provides performance and peace of mind with long-lasting value for homeowners.

The Artisan Wood Grain™ finishes afford homeowners an opportunity to transform the appearance of their garage door. Overhead Door™ brand plank door finishes combine the resemblance of wood with the durability of steel. With a flush contemporary panel design, customize your finish to create a visually stunning focal point that seamlessly integrates with your home’s style. Furthermore, the low maintenance requirements and long-lasting performance of these doors ensure that you can enjoy their beauty and benefits for years to come.

Upgrade your garage door to either Overhead Door™ Brand’s Thermacore® Model 5740 or Windstorm™ Model 5745 and choose between the four Artisan Wood Grain™ Finishes: Beachwood Plank, Cedar Plank, Medium Oak Plank or Carbon Oak Plank.

The Overhead Door™ brand will continue to push the boundaries when it comes to revolutionary design — all while keeping our customers and installers safety as the top priority. Contact your local distributor today to help you unlock the full potential of your home.

 

Flush Panel Colors