Cold weather can affect your home in the most unexpected ways. While it’s normal to experience chillier than normal temperatures inside the house, you probably don’t expect your garage door to freeze shut. Inclement weather can certainly cause the door to lodge into place and make it difficult to open without some effort. Fortunately, there are steps that homeowners can take to resolve the issue—and prevent it from happening at all.

How to Handle a Frozen Garage Door

1. Use a Heater

A warm garage door is far less likely to freeze when it snows outside. The best way to prevent that is to create a warmer interior space. Adding significant insulation to the garage is an excellent first step. A garage door service company can add insulation to the door itself. Lay plastic film on windows to add an additional layer of warmth. Homeowners might also consider placing a portable space heater in the room; this is an easy way to warm up the garage when the forecast calls for snow.

2. Add Some Salt

One of the easiest remedies of all inside your kitchen: table salt. The ubiquitous seasoning is known for halting the freezing process. Sprinkle a liberal amount of salt along the line where the door’s weather seal touches the concrete floor. 

3. Treat the Seal

The garage door has a seal that is designed to prevent moisture and cold air from entering the space. It’s a form of insulation that can deteriorate over time. Replacing this seal, which is referred to as weatherstripping, can be helpful if it’s particularly worn and old. Alternately, wipe the seal clean and add a waterproof lubricant to it. 

Whether you’re in the market for a new garage door or require maintenance services after a difficult winter, you can trust in the experts at American Garage Door to help. Based in Kalispell, MT, they’re the leading source for garage door services in the area. Their technicians are trained to detect and resolve problems that may affect the integrity and lifespan of your door—and they even offer an innovative Design-A-Door service for homeowners interested in designing a custom garage door. Visit them online for information, or call them at (406) 752-2662 to get started.