My Garage Door Gets Stuck in Humid Weather

Weather

• Wet and humid weather make wood swell, while cold weather makes it contract. That garage door that slides up and down most of the year can become stuck in the summer or after a rainy spell that caused wood swelling. When the water content in the air decreases, the wood will naturally shrink again -- but in the meantime, you have a problem.

Effects

• As the garage door sticks in its frame, the hinges experience pressure. Wood that's absorbed moisture becomes heavy. While a spring adjustment temporarily relieves the weight, it doesn't solve the problem. If your door has one large torsion spring across the top of the garage, you can injure yourself trying to adjust the spring because of the intense pressure. You can safely oil the torsion spring yourself, but should not move the spring.

Quick Fixes

• Taking down the humidity level in the garage can stop the sticking. Install a dehumidifier in the garage and empty it as it becomes full to help the door. Lubricate the door tracks -- including the curved portion -- with a waterproof, water-resistant lubricant. Also lubricate the rollers that help the door slide up and down the track. Regular lubricating helps the door move smoothly in its tracks and can ease the stuck door as humidity lessens. Find this lubricant at an automotive store.

Sealing

• A properly sealed garage door doesn't take in moisture so resists getting stuck in humidity. In a dry period when humidity levels are normal, sand the interior and exterior garage door panels down to bare wood. Also sand the bottom of the door. Repaint the door using exterior latex paint to seal the wood from moisture.