Is Your Garage Door Weather-Ready?

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As the winter continues across the country, the midwest is getting exceptionally harsh weather. The Chicago area is not exempt from Mother Nature’s cold chill. There are many ways to prepare for such weather and various items that will need your attention. Homeowners will typically make sure that their faucets are dripping, their windows are properly sealed, and their driveways are prepped, but they will often overlook a very important facet of the house. The door to your garage battles all kinds of weather, and Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is here to make certain that it is up to the challenge.

What to Look For?

On the surface, the door to your garage may seem very simple, but it comprises many important parts and features. Checking these different areas of your garage can be done very quickly and can make a world of difference down the road.

Check the exterior weatherstripping – Start on the outside around the border of the door. Make sure there are not any splits or cracks along the sides. Extreme temperatures and sun exposure weaken rubber stripping and can make it brittle. If you notice any ice forming around the weatherstripping, make sure to remove it quickly.

Inspect the door itself – Older garages may have worn-out doors that are uninsulated. Newer doors often come insulated or can be insulated with the help of a kit or professional help. This can help keep in warm air and further protect your door from sub-zero temperatures.

Double-check the moving parts – The opener itself may be the most important feature of the door. You do not want to be coming home during a winter storm and have your garage door fail to open. If you notice the door opening slower, making strange noises, or seeing any pieces out of place, they will need immediate attention.

What to Do?

  • Replace the weatherstripping
  • Insulate the garage door
  • Seal any visible cracks in the door
  • Consider replacing outdated and drafty doors
  • Service and maintenance of the garage door opener
  • Keep ice off the door and the surrounding frame

Keep Your Garage Door in Top Shape With Our DuPage County Custom Garage Builders

No matter what the weather may throw at you, the garage renovation experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can make certain you are prepared. They can see you through any season and keep your garage and all of its parts functioning the way they should all year round. Reach out by calling 630-852-8485 today!

How To Winterize Your Garage Door

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By now we know that preparing your garage for winter is essential in the Great Lake Region. However, a vital part of your garage often gets overlooked in the process. The garage door is obviously very important to the function of the structure, but most people are unaware of how to winterize it. Fortunately, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has several suggestions to make sure your garage operates correctly all winter long.

What to Do Before Winter

There are quite a few steps you can take before winter gets too rough to guarantee that everything runs as it should.

Check Your Batteries – A faulty garage door opener is the last thing you want at the end of a cold, long work day. The batteries in most remote openers are easy to locate and replace. Consider changing them out at the start of the season if it has been a while since they were last changed.

It is also a good idea to check the battery in the external keypad if your garage has one. Unlike remotes, most keypads require a 9-volt battery. In both cases of the keypad and openers, it is beneficial to keep a set of spare batteries on hand at any given time.

Lubricate Moving Parts – Proper lubrication is important to make sure the metal parts of your door move efficiently. There are garage door-specific lubricants available that help the pieces move easily. An added bonus of using lubricants is that the freezing point of water is lowered. This makes your door freezing shut less likely. With this in mind, consider applying a bit of lubricant to the bottom strip along the door to prevent freezing between the door and the driveway.

What to Do During a Storm

Assuming you are home and can remain vigilant during snow or ice storms, there are a few steps you can take to help keep your garage functional.

  • Salting or applying sand around the door
  • Placing an electric heater in the garage
  • Keep the driveway and area around the door clear
  • Occasionally open the door and clean out any snow or ice that may be accumulating underneath

This last step is very beneficial, but be careful when opening the door. You will want to manually open it in case there is any chance of the door being frozen shut. In the event that it has frozen, using the automatic opener may not work and cause excessive strain on the motor which could potentially burn it out.

Be Ready All Winter Long With Our Downers Grove Custom Garage Builders!

Through all types of weather, ourDuPage County garage renovation experts are prepared to make sure you stay safe and prepared. Make a call to 630-852-8485 today and let Blue Sky Builders, Inc. get you through winter.

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424 Ogden Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515

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Located in Downers Grove, the skilled garage building professionals at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. work with clients throughout the Chicago suburbs, including Aurora, Batavia, Berwyn, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, La Grange, Lockport, Lombard, North Riverside, Oak Park, River Forest, Riverside, Schiller Park, Villa Park, Western Springs, Westmont, Wheaton, and Woodridge.

Services listed are not a guarantee or indication of future work.