What Should I Do If My Garage Door Is Frozen?

Waking up and finding that your garage door froze shut overnight is a frustrating start to any day. You may feel like you’ll be trapped in your home until warmer weather comes, but don’t worry, you’re not stuck. With over 30 years of experience in the garage door industry in Northwest Indiana, the team at Affordable Garage Door Inc. knows a thing or two about dealing with stubborn, frozen doors.

If your garage door is frozen shut, here’s a quick summary of what you can do:

• Don’t force it open by trying to use the automatic opener.
• Clear away snow and slush from the base of the door.
• Apply heat along the bottom seal to melt the ice.
• Gently chip away any thick ice that may still keep it from opening.

Following these steps can help you get on your way without damaging your property. Let’s look at these solutions in more detail.

What Makes a Garage Door Freeze?

Garage doors can freeze shut when melting snow or rain accumulates at the bottom of the door and then freezes overnight. This process creates a strong seal of ice between the door’s bottom weatherstripping and the ground. When temperatures drop below freezing (32°F), any moisture present can cause this problem.

How Can I Safely Get My Frozen Garage Door Open?

When you discover your garage door is frozen, your first instinct might be to keep hitting the opener button and hoping it’ll work. Don’t! Forcing the door open can lead to serious and costly damage. Instead, take these steps:

• Clear the area: Use a shovel to remove any snow and slush from in front of the door. This reduces the amount of ice you need to melt.
• Use heat or hot water: Carefully pour hot (not boiling) water along the bottom edge of the door, or apply heat from a hairdryer or space heater at a safe distance. The warmth can melt the ice binding the door to the ground.
• Break away remaining ice: If thick ice remains, you can gently tap it with a hammer or use an ice scraper to break it apart. Be careful not to damage your door’s weather seal.

Once the door is free, you can try opening it manually first, then with the automatic opener. Open and close it a few times to clear any remaining slush.

Need a Professional Hand? We Can Help

Sometimes, a frozen garage door is a sign of a bigger issue, or attempts to fix it can cause unintended damage. If your door is still stuck, makes strange noises, or has a broken spring or damaged panel as a result of the winter weather, it’s time to call in the experts.

The team at Affordable Garage Door Inc. offers reliable and professional service for all your garage door needs. We provide free estimates and are known for our quick, friendly service. Whether the fix is simple or more complicated, a frozen door doesn’t have to derail your day. Contact us today for fast and affordable help with your garage door.