A Seasonal Garage Door Care Plan for Massachusetts

Fall: preparing for winter

Before the first hard freeze, it's worth having the weatherseal, tracks, and hardware checked, since a worn seal or a stiff spring is far easier to address before winter than during a cold snap. This is also a reasonable time to discuss opener battery backup if winter power outages are a concern.

• Check that the bottom weatherseal is intact and sealing evenly.
• Look for early rust or stiffness in hinges and rollers.
• Test the auto-reverse safety feature by following the opener manufacturer's guidance; DASMA recommends testing it monthly, not just in the fall.

Winter: cold, snow, and ice

Keep the approach clear of loose snow when conditions are safe. Do not force a stuck or unusually heavy door. New resistance, noise or uneven movement needs assessment rather than an assumption that cold weather is harmless.

Spring: thaw and moisture

As snow and ice melt, road salt, sand, and grit tend to accumulate in the tracks and on hardware. A spring clean and inspection clears that residue before it accelerates wear, and it's a good time to have coastal homes check for winter corrosion specifically.

Summer: heat and humidity

Humidity can swell wood trim and jambs and leave condensation on the garage floor, both of which affect how the door seats and seals. Summer is also a practical time to schedule maintenance, since it avoids the seasonal rush that tends to hit right before winter.