Ensuring your garage door is secure and operational in Canada’s various and sometimes severe weather conditions can be challenging, especially with the diverse weather conditions. The house’s and its occupants’ safety can be compromised by snowfall during winter, winds, or even heavy rain.
Essential Garage Door Safety Tips for Surviving Harsh Canadian Weather
- Perform self-checks regularly
As the expert team at garage door repair Calgary advises, Performing self-checks regularly is key for garage door safety, especially given the harsh Canadian weather conditions. These checks help prevent accidents and ensure smooth operation.
- Test the safety sensors once a month. Point something small like a broom handle in front of the sensor as the door lowers. If it doesn’t reverse, you’ve got an issue.
- Look at the springs, cables, rollers, and pulleys for signs of wear or damage. No one wants a garage door coming down unexpectedly during a snowstorm.
- Open and close the garage door to listen for unusual noises or rough movements.
- Check if the garage door opener has batteries that are alive and kicking. Dead batteries on a cold morning can leave you stuck outside.
- Give your door a quick balance check by raising it halfway and releasing it gently. A well-balanced door will not move; otherwise, you should consider making some adjustments.
- Refer to the owner’s manual for specific safety features on your model, such as an auto-reverse function, and test them.
- Visually inspect both the door itself and its environment to ensure no obstructions could impede operation.
- Keep children and animals away from doors and openers
For this reason, it is important to watch them near garage doors, especially during busy times when the door is in motion. Kids are naturally curious, while pets simply cannot resist following their nose or that bouncing ball with every fiber of their being. These gadgets should be kept away so everyone can play safely without turning your driveway into an unplanned hazard zone.
- Keep remote with you at all times
Invariably, hold and close the switch to open a garage door. Though this is very small, it is vital during Canada’s cold climate. Do not leave it inside a vehicle lest it is stolen and used to access your garage. The remote is advantageous because it enables you to get into a secure, warm house fast, no matter how severe the weather conditions may be experienced outside. It also prevents any unwelcome intruder from finding his way in easily and saves a lot of inconvenience.
- Regular garage door maintenance
It is important to keep your garage door in top condition, even more so during Canada’s harsh weather. Even when the mercury drops, you can keep these gates moving by conducting regular checks for faults and greasing any moving parts that require it. The idea is to catch things before they get out of hand; strange sounds or doors slower than molasses are a dead giveaway. You’ll want this done before the chill sets in, as adding weather stripping keeps cold drafts at bay while preventing any moisture from seeping through.
To conclude
So don’t forget about looking after your garage doors in the harsh Canadian winters. Regular inspections & maintenance prevent mishaps and ensure everything runs smoothly. It’s also a good idea to clear any snow around them and teach children to be safe near these potentially dangerous entryways. Provided they are properly cared for, garages can handle bad weather while providing warmth.
