It's well known by now how cold weather can affect pipes in your home. But it can also damage your garage door, which can create an added danger for you.
In the summer heat, you've probably heard how concrete expands. There's an opposite effect that happens in winter and things like metal springs on your garage door can contract and break, making it difficult to get in and out of your garage safely. Door Torsion Spring
Tuesday's dangerously cold temperatures created plenty of business for Reddi Overheard Door. The company's phones rang all day for people needing service on their garage doors.
The company says complaints about failing garage doors aren't uncommon this time of year.
"It puts more stress on the springs and so things are just bound to go more wrong when it's colder," says technician Zack Beden.
He says people often don't realize how much they rely on their garage doors until one of the door's springs breaks.
"I would say most people use their door on average between eight to a dozen times a day and don't even really think about it," Beden says. "That also affects how often your spring breaks. The more you use your garage door, the more wear and tear the springs get."
A spring breaking can leave you vulnerable.
"It is a scary thing when your door or operator breaks and it's wide open and you (have) valuables in your garage and you don't know what to do about it," Beden says.
He says it's important not to try to force your garage door open or closed because it can burn out the operator motor and pose a safety risk if the door falls.
Blue Springs Overhead Door He says if you think a spring on your garage door is breaking, call a certified technician to fix it.