Four Things to do to Avoid Garage Door Repair Woes over the Upcoming Winter, El Nino Event

El Nino is forecast to affect winter weather patterns in the Midwest, and residents of Southeast Minnesota communities including Eagan and Woodbury are wise to take precautions to protect their valuable property. An area property owners too often overlook is the garage, and InMotion Garage Doors offers a list of things for homeowners to look for to prepare for the upcoming winter storms.

“Almost every owner does a little of something to look over their home before the first rains and snow storms, but it can be sad how many overlook their garage and garage doors,” said Frank Hubbard, owner of InMotion Garage Doors, which serves primarily Dakota County and Washington County, including the communities of Eagan, Woodbury, Inter Grove Heights, Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Rosemount, Hastings, Farmington, Stillwater and St. Paul Park.

“Besides protecting the walls of the structure inside, the garage hosts an assortment of valuable property including cars, trucks, farm equipment, expensive sporting goods and more,” Hubbard said. “Often, garage door repair needs can be reduced or eliminated with a little knowledge and a sort of ‘pre-winter tune-up.’ ”

Hubbard and InMotion Garage Doors offer the following tips on what a property owner might to do prepare garage doors and garage door opener systems for the upcoming cold and stormy months:

* Lubrication – With metal parts, people assume moisture alone causes problems. Remember that cold, too, affects metal parts and the door may become stuck to the track when raising or lowering. Proper lubrication helps minimize friction on the moving parts.

* Damaged Weather Stripping – When the ground freezes the stripping can stick to the ground, peeling it away from the garage door and losing the proper sealing that insulates the garage. Insulation is important not only to keep the inside garage warm, but to keep moisture out and away from valuables. Solution: keep the ground around the door free of snow and water (debris).

* Broken Springs – Garage door springs commonly break in winter months. Springs balance the door to make it easy for lifting. Replacing springs is dangerous and should be done by a professional.

* Dirty Garage Door Opener and Sensors – Cars bring in salt and sand from the road, and get into garage door opener systems including affecting sensors. Always keep the garage clean and swept. Winter is not the time to get locked out of your garage.

Weather forecasters have predicted an El Nino episode across the United States this fall and into winter 2016. Prognosticators believe overall the winter may be warmer, but warn of a late winter push with potential for big snow storms in early 2016. Regardless of predictions, it’s always a safe investment of time to winter-proof your home in many areas, from the garage doors to windows, doors, roof and all types of insulation.