Winter is the hardest season on garage doors in Reno. Freezing temperatures contract metal, ice seals doors to the ground, and cold-thickened lubricant puts extra strain on openers and springs. Most emergency garage door calls happen between December and February.
The most common winter garage door emergency in Reno is a door frozen to the ground. When snow melts during the day and refreezes at the bottom seal overnight, the door bonds to the concrete. Forcing it open with the opener can tear the seal, strip gears in the opener, or pull the door off its tracks. If your door is frozen, break the ice bond gently with a flat shovel or heat — never force it with the opener button.
Garage door springs fail more in winter than any other season. Cold metal is more brittle, and the increased resistance from cold lubricant and thermal contraction puts extra stress on every cycle. When a spring breaks, the door becomes extremely heavy and dangerous to operate manually. Do not attempt to open a door with a broken spring — call for professional service immediately.
Standard lubricants thicken or freeze in cold weather, causing sluggish operation and increased wear. Winter-rated silicone or lithium-based lubricants maintain their viscosity in freezing temperatures. If your door sounds louder or moves slower in winter, the lubricant has likely thickened and needs replacement with a cold-weather formula.
Reno Garage Door Pros provides emergency garage door service throughout winter in Reno. Broken springs, off-track doors, and frozen doors do not wait for warm weather, and neither do we. Call 775-555-0243 for same-day winter service.