Does Cold Weather Affect Garage-Door Openers?

Expert Insight

• According to The Money Pit, the problem with the garage door might occur because of the door itself. Test the theory by opening the garage door without the aid of the controller. If the door sticks or you must exert extra pressure when opening it, then the problem relates to the door. The Money Pit suggests applying a few drops of lubricant to the hinges of the door. The harsh winter weather can freeze or dry the existing lubrication in the door, which keeps it from raising and lowering.

Considerations

• You may also experience problems with your door because of snow and ice build up on the hinges. The ice and snow settles on the top of the garage and any heat melts the snow, sending it down the door. When the temperature drops again, the melted snow freezes into ice, which keeps the door from opening properly. When you push the controller, the door starts opening or closing, but stops because of the ice. The mechanism thinks the door is stuck and stops opening.

Craftsman Openers

• According to Consumer Search, more customers complain about Craftsman garage door openers than any other type of openers. The site points to complaints registered on That Home Site, a website with a forum dedicated to home-improvement enthusiasts. Consumer Search points out that the number of complaints may stem from the fact that Craftsman is one of the more popular brands with more items produced and sold than other companies.

Prevention

• During the winter months, keep ice and snow off your garage. Sweep the snow from the roof with an old broom and wipe off the garage door. When you see ice on the garage door or on the roof, remove that ice with a chisel and a hammer. Gently tap the ice until it falls off the garage. It's also helpful to keep the garage heated with heated pads along the floor or running a heater when you're outside, which keeps the ice and snow from sticking.