In Oklahoma, it is not uncommon to experience temperatures well into the 60’s and 70’s during the day and then freezing temperatures overnight. For most Oklahomans wildly changing temperature is simply a way of life. Although these dramatic changes have become normal, the problems accompanying them still leave homeowners scratching their head from time to time.
One of the most common issues created by freezing temperatures is a stuck garage door. Garage Doors can get stuck for many reasons without weather being a factor, but freezing temperatures typically bring with it freezing rain, sleet, snow, and potentially the worst wind.
Oklahoma weather variations bring the opportunity for snow or ice to be there in the morning, start to melt throughout the day and then refreeze at night. This causes moisture to freeze in places you would not normally expect it to be, one of those places is under your garage door.
If moisture gathers under the rubber seal attached to the bottom of your garage door and then freezes, your garage door can get stuck. Attempting to open a garage door with a frozen seal can result in a torn seal, preventing it from efficiently doing its job and potentially making this issue more likely to happen in the future. Other issues that can arise while attempting to open a frozen garage door can include misalignment, broken springs, and/or a broken garage door opener.
While there are many ways to get a frozen seal loose it is always important to inspect your garage door before attempting to open it after inclement weather. In the event that your garage door does not open or you suspect an issue pull the emergency release cord and attempt to manually open the door. Do not use excess force! If the door does not open call a professional to prevent further, more costly damage.
