A Seasonal Garage Door Care Plan for Tennessee

Spring: before storm season

Spring is Tennessee's most active severe-weather season, so it's worth checking the door's balance and hardware before the first round of thunderstorms arrives. A door that's already a little off-balance or has a worn roller is more likely to come off-track under a sudden wind load.

• Test the door's balance by disconnecting the opener with the door closed and lifting it by hand to about 3–4 feet above the floor — it should hold its position
• Look over cables, hinges, and rollers for rust or fraying
• Confirm the auto-reverse safety feature stops and reverses the door when it meets resistance, per the opener manufacturer's guidance

Summer: heat and humidity

Long, humid Tennessee summers are hard on weatherstrip and lubrication. Heat inside an uninsulated garage can also push an opener's motor and electronics harder on the hottest days.

• Follow the door manufacturer’s maintenance instructions; have a technician lubricate only the specified parts. Do not grease the tracks or handle springs, cables or bottom brackets.
• Check the bottom seal and side weatherstrip for softening, cracking, or gaps
• Keep the garage ventilated where possible to reduce heat buildup around the opener

Fall: getting ready for winter

Fall is a good time to clear gutters and downspouts near the garage so runoff doesn't pool against the slab, and to look at weatherstrip one more time before cold weather sets in.

Winter: cold snaps and occasional ice

Many Tennessee winters are mild, but hard freezes and occasional ice storms do happen. Cold makes springs more brittle, so a spring nearing the end of its cycle life is more likely to fail during a winter lift. If a freeze is forecast, avoid leaving the door open longer than necessary and don't force it if it seems to be sticking to the seal.