When winter arrives, even in North Texas, the garage door becomes a crucial part of your home’s comfort and function. At Metro Garage Door Repair, we provide top-notch seasonal garage service for residents in Garland, Texas, ensuring their doors perform reliably despite cold temperatures, wind, and moisture. If you’re in need of garage door repair Garland, look no further—we’ve got you covered with expert advice and fast, professional service.
In this guide, we’ll dive in to the specific issues winter can cause, how to prevent them, and when to call a professional for help.
Why Winter Affects Garage Doors in Garland
Even in Texas, seasonal changes can impact your garage door’s components. Cold weather door issues often begin subtly—your opener hesitates, the door makes strange noises, or you start noticing chilly air sneaking in.
Cold temperatures cause the metal parts in your garage system to contract. Springs may lose elasticity, rollers become stiff, and lubrication becomes less effective as it thickens or hardens. Combined with increased moisture, the environment becomes a perfect storm for rust, jamming, and wear.
It’s important to note that uninsulated garages, fluctuating humidity, and infrequent usage during the winter months make these systems particularly vulnerable. That’s why seasonal garage service is one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make.
Most Common Winter Garage Door Issues
Picture this: You’re late for work, and your garage door only opens halfway before grinding to a halt. It’s frustrating—and unfortunately, it’s all too common during the winter months.
Here are the issues we most frequently repair during winter:
- Stiff or frozen rollers, which make it difficult for the door to glide along the tracks smoothly. These rollers can seize up when lubricant dries out or moisture causes slight rusting.
- Cracked or brittle weather stripping, which happens when rubber seals contract and split in colder temperatures. This invites water, cold air, and rodents inside.
- Faulty photo-eye sensors, often affected by condensation or temperature swings, which interfere with safe door operation and reverse your door unexpectedly.
- Dry or degraded lubrication, causing loud squeaks, screeches, or harsh mechanical grinding.
- Garage door opener lag, which occurs when the motor is overworked or the drive system struggles due to cold contraction and stiff moving parts.
These problems may seem small at first, but if left unchecked, they can lead to major mechanical failures or emergency repairs—especially if springs or cables are affected.
Lubrication: The First Line of Winter Defense
Proper lubrication can unlock smoother movement, reduce operational strain, and extend the life of your entire garage system. In winter, this becomes even more important.
Without lubrication, moving parts experience direct metal-on-metal friction. This wears components down prematurely, causes excessive garage door noise, and often leads to more significant breakdowns in the spring.
A well-lubricated system also puts less stress on your garage opener, allowing it to perform better and last longer—especially when cold temperatures are making it work harder than usual.
We understand the importance of this simple step, which is why it’s always included in our garage inspection winter service visits.
What Parts Need Lubricating in Winter?
To effectively prepare your garage for the cold, here’s what our garage technician Garland professionals typically seal and lubricate during winter maintenance:
- Springs (Torsion or Extension): Cold weather makes springs brittle. Lubricating them helps reduce tension stress and avoid snapping or early fatigue.
- Hinges: These pivot every time the door moves. In winter, they can become stiff and squeaky if left untreated. Proper lube helps them move freely.
- Rollers: Especially if you have metal rollers, these are prone to freezing or sticking in the tracks. Ball-bearing rollers benefit greatly from lubrication during colder months.
- Tracks (with caution): While tracks shouldn’t be greased like other components, they should be cleaned and occasionally wiped with a small amount of lubricant to prevent buildup or ice formation.
Bear in mind, using the wrong lubricant—such as household grease or WD-40—can do more harm than good. These products attract dust and grime, which turns into sticky residue that impedes movement.
The Role of Weather Seals in Cold Months
Garage weather seals may not look like much, but they serve as vital protection against winter elements. They insulate your garage, reduce drafts, block moisture, and keep out insects and rodents—all of which are more active in seeking shelter during winter.
A well-functioning seal system includes:
- Bottom seals, which prevent water, snow, and dirt from entering underneath the door.
- Side and top perimeter seals, which block out wind and help stabilize indoor temperatures.
- Threshold seals, which reinforce the bottom edge and help prevent puddles from creeping into the garage space.
When these seals fail or degrade, your garage becomes vulnerable to everything winter throws at it—which can also damage tools, vehicles, and HVAC-connected living spaces.
Replacing Damaged or Worn Weather Stripping
Knowing when to opt for weather seal replacement is key to maintaining a comfortable, energy-efficient garage in winter.
Common signs your seal needs replacing include:
- Visible cracks or tearing along the bottom or sides of the door
- Light coming through around the edges of a closed door
- Increased pest activity or moisture inside the garage
- Feeling a draft along the base or sides of the garage, especially near interior walls
When our garage door repair Garland team replaces weather stripping, we use heavy-duty, weather-rated materials designed to withstand freezing temperatures and UV exposure—ensuring your garage is sealed tight for years to come.
Sensor Failures in Cold Weather
Garage doors rely on photo-eye sensors to operate safely. Unfortunately, these delicate components are notorious for acting up in winter.
Moisture, frost, or small misalignments caused by contracting metal brackets can lead to false signals—or total failure. The result? The door won’t close, or it reverses suddenly and won’t stay down.
Here’s how we fix it:
- Clean the sensors and their lenses with a dry microfiber cloth
- Realign the sensors so they point directly at each other
- Check for cracked casings, exposed wires, or internal condensation
- Test the system to make sure auto-reverse and safety systems are working correctly
If your door has been finicky during recent cold mornings, sensor issues are one of the first things to check.
Garage Door Opener Trouble in Garland’s Winter Chill
Another component that suffers in winter? Your garage door opener.
As parts tighten and batteries weaken, the motor has to work harder—often leading to sluggish performance, unexpected stops, or jerky starts.
Some issues we often resolve include:
- Worn-out opener belts or chains, which become brittle or overly tight in cold weather
- Weak remote batteries, which may work inconsistently in low temperatures
- Outdated openers with minimal tolerance for cold weather, causing software or sensor malfunctions
- Motor overheating or struggling, due to excessive resistance from unmaintained doors
It’s worth mentioning that if your opener is more than 10–15 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade—especially if winter consistently causes malfunctions.
Real Garland Example: Seal & Lube Service Done Right
Recently, we visited a home in Garland where the homeowner reported increased garage door noise, cold drafts near their interior laundry room, and an unresponsive door during frosty mornings.
Our technician conducted a garage inspection winter checklist and found:
- The rollers had dried out and were squeaking loudly
- The bottom weather seal was brittle and cracked
- The opener was calibrated incorrectly and struggling against resistance
- The sensors were slightly out of alignment, causing occasional misfires
After performing a seal and lubricate service and making a few minor adjustments, the door was functioning better than ever. The homeowner said it felt like a “breath of fresh air”—a quiet, warm, and reliable garage experience just in time for holiday guests.
How Often Should You Service Your Garage in Winter?
It’s essential to schedule garage door maintenance at least once a year—preferably before or at the start of winter.
Here’s what we include in a seasonal garage service:
- Visual and mechanical inspection of springs, rollers, and cables
- Testing opener response and battery life
- Lubricating all moving parts with winter-safe products
- Assessing the condition of sensors, wiring, and brackets
- Replacing or repairing worn weather seals
Preventative maintenance doesn’t just improve performance—it also extends the life of your entire system, saving you hundreds of dollars over time.
DIY Tips vs. When to Call a Technician
There are a few considerations when it comes to handling winter garage issues yourself.
Here’s what you can do safely:
- Check and clean sensors with a dry cloth
- Replace remote batteries
- Apply lubricant to visible hinges and rollers using the correct product
- Inspect weather stripping visually for cracks or gaps
But leave these to the pros:
- Spring or cable adjustments, which can be dangerous due to tension
- Sensor rewiring or realignment involving electrical components
- Track repair or door off-track issues
- Full weather seal installation, especially when cutting and sealing is required for uneven flooring
We pride ourselves on doing it right the first time—with tools and experience that make a lasting difference.
Scheduling Winter Garage Maintenance in Garland
If you’re in Garland and you haven’t had a garage inspection winter checkup yet this year, now’s the time.
The ideal time to book a seasonal garage service is in late fall or early winter—before a cold snap hits. This allows us to unveil small issues before they snowball into expensive problems.
Our garage door repair Garland team offers:
- Same-day service appointments
- Flexible scheduling to fit your work or holiday plans
- Full inspections and tune-ups tailored to cold weather conditions
We’ve got you covered, whether you’re preparing for a Texas winter or trying to fix a door that’s already struggling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is my garage door louder in winter?
Cold causes lubrication to harden and metal parts to contract, which leads to noisy operation. A simple seal and lubricate service often resolves this.
Do I need weather seal replacement every year?
Not necessarily. But if your seals are cracked, flat, or letting in drafts, they should be replaced before winter intensifies.
Can I lubricate my door myself?
Yes, but make sure to use garage-specific, silicone or lithium-based spray. Avoid general-purpose oils or greases.
Why won’t my opener work on cold mornings?
Weak batteries, frozen parts, or increased resistance in the system can all contribute to poor performance. An inspection will help determine the root cause.
How much does winter garage maintenance cost?
Our services are affordable, and the price depends on what’s needed—typically between $75–$200 depending on your system. Investing now can prevent costly future repairs.
