How to Open a Frozen Garage Door

Garage Door Not Opening or Closing?

Before diving into solutions, it's essential to understand why garage doors freeze in the first place. Factors such as moisture, temperature fluctuations, and inadequate insulation can contribute to the freezing of garage doors. By identifying the root causes, you can take preventive measures to minimize the chances of your garage door freezing in the future.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Take a deep breath and put on a warm coat and gloves, not too bulky, so you can maneuver things with ease. Unpredicted garage problems often occur due to weather. Taking a deep breath and calmly assessing the situation will prevent further damage to the door and yourself. 

Make sure the door is indeed frozen in position. This may seem like common sense, but garage doors can often struggle to close properly, and re-open when obstructions are in the way. Keep in mind you should avoid repeatedly hitting the opener button; this may burn out the motor or strip various elements of your door’s crucial mechanisms.

Locate where the garage is frozen to the ground and what components need to be freed. It might be obvious if you can see ice or snow securing the door in position at specific locations.

Now that you have identified a frozen door vs. a locked or obstructed object, try a few of the remedies listed below or contact your local garage door repair technician. 

How to Unfreeze a Garage Door

1. Remove Snow and Ice Buildup



One of the most common reasons for a frozen garage door is the accumulation of snow and ice around the door's edges and on the tracks. To fix this issue:

Use a snow shovel to carefully remove snow from around the garage door.

Apply ice melt or rock salt to the areas where ice has formed.

Scrape the ice away at the base if visible.

Gently break up ice on the tracks using a rubber mallet or a hairdryer set to low heat.

2. Lubricate Moving Parts

Cold temperatures can cause the lubricants on garage door components to thicken or freeze, leading to operational difficulties. To address this:

Use a silicone-based or lithium-based garage door lubricant to grease the hinges, springs, rollers, and tracks.

Pour hot water on the ice surrounding the locked component, avoiding your own hands and feet

Avoid using oil-based lubricants, as they can become less effective in cold conditions.

3. Check and Adjust Weather-stripping

Weather-stripping around the garage door's perimeter helps create a seal, but it can also freeze and stick to the ground. Follow these steps:

Carefully inspect the weatherstripping for any signs of freezing or damage.

Gently lift the weatherstripping from the ground and clear away any ice.

If the bottom is stuck, a heat gun can also be an effective fix, with expert care

Consider using a silicone-based lubricant on the weather-stripping to prevent sticking.

4. Warm Up the Garage

If your garage is insulated and has a heating source, warming it up can help thaw the frozen components. Here's how:

Gradually increase the temperature inside the garage to promote melting of ice and snow.

Avoid using extreme heat, as rapid temperature changes can damage the door or its components.

As a last resort, you can manually release the garage door by pulling the electric motor's red plastic handle and see if it frees easily

Note: Garage doors are EXTREMELY heavy, over 100 lbs.; if, after working through these remedies, your door still does not budge, do not try to force it and call in an expert. You and your family’s safety are paramount.

PREVENTATIVE DOOR CARE

Periodically opening the garage door in cold temperatures prevents it from sticking. This is a good practice to use throughout winter in climates that experience deep freezes or frequent storms. If you live in an area where you are confident in your home safety, you can leave the door open a crack to prevent it from sticking overnight. If fields are nearby, you might want small animal traps placed in your garage before trying this method.

UPLIFT GARAGE: SAME-DAY, RELIABLE GARAGE DOOR SERVICES

If you notice an issue with your garage door, contact our service professionals at Uplift Garage today! We service all common garage door and seasonal problems, like damage due to frozen garage doors, roller replacement, and door installations. We also proudly offer same-day garage door maintenance, and installations so you can keep rolling!

Contacts us today to receive a free quote!