Spring Survival Guide: How to Chinook-Proof Your Garage Door

Anyone else feeling the weather whiplash lately? It seems like only yesterday I was slipping and falling on my butt while trying to take out the trash. Now, my driveway is more mud than gravel, the deer are mowing (and fertilizing) my lawn for me, and everywhere I look, I see that beautiful, Southern Alberta shade of brown.

Somehow, though, my car still skids on “ice,” even though there’s no freaking ice to be seen.

If you’re feeling the effects of this rather unseasonal seasonal change (I mean, isn’t February supposed to be -30°C?), you’re not the only one. Rapid changes in temperature, pressure, or really any atmospheric conditions might give you headaches. I know a guy who shattered his arm climbing the northeast ridge of Mount Victoria, and now he’s a human barometer. But guess what else feels these changes?

If you guessed garage doors, you’re spot on!

Let’s talk about that.

Frozen-Thawed: Great for Reptile Food, Not So Good for Garage Doors

Changes in temperature, especially rapid ones, can wreak havoc on all sorts of materials. I’m sure you know that metal expands and contracts with heat and cold. That’s why my pipes are always creaking and groaning like me and my knees any time I stand up. (Definitely not ghosts.)

Cars, electronics, doors… nothing likes to freeze and thaw repeatedly like that. I’m sure you can relate. I, for one, would love it if Mother Nature could just pick a temperature and stick with it.

So, How Does that Affect My Door?

Rapid warming, like we see with Chinook winds here in Alberta, melts snow and ice (obviously). Now you have a lake in your driveway and you keep parking your wife’s side of the car in the middle of it, no matter how hard you try. When the temperatures drop overnight and everything refreezes, that lake becomes a hockey rink.

Any time moisture freezes on or around your garage door, there can be negative effects. It can freeze your door shut, wear out weather stripping, and stress moving parts. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can lead to misaligned tracks, even cracks in the panelling. And of course, if your door goes off the rails, so to speak, or the weather seal is broken, you’ll start letting in all that sweet, sweet cold air. Hello utility bills.

If these problems aren’t addressed, you might find yourself having to replace your door a lot sooner than you wanted to.

Survival Tips to Fight the Thaw

That’s why you’re here, right? That’s why I’m here. Your dog might be here, I don’t know. Whoever’s here, they want to know what they can do to save their garage doors from costly repairs. So, here are a few freeze-thaw survival tips that might save your door.

1. Inspect and Repair Weather Stripping

Your weather stripping is your garage door’s first line of defence. Check for cracks, gaps, or brittleness. Even a teeny tiny gap can let in enough moisture to freeze your door shut. Water don’t care. If you spot damage, replace the weather stripping right away. This simple fix keeps out drafts, snow, and water, which helps your door survive the wildest Alberta weather.

2. Keep It Clean and Clear

After a Chinook, clear away any slush or water from around your garage door. If moisture pools and refreezes under the door, it can stick to the ground. Ever been in the drive-thru and then realize your window won’t go down? Same thing. Open the door, sweep away snow and ice, and make sure the threshold is dry before the next cold snap hits.

3. Lubricate All Moving Parts

Cold weather makes metal parts contract and lubricants thicken. Use a silicone-based lubricant on rollers, hinges, springs, and tracks. Avoid grease, because it can gum up in the cold. Lubricating before winter and after a thaw or Chinook keeps everything moving smoothly and prevents wear and tear. Your door will thank you later!

4. Check Door Balance and Opener Function

A misaligned or unbalanced door is more likely to freeze shut or get stuck. Test your door’s balance by disconnecting the opener and lifting the door halfway. If it doesn’t stay in place, call a pro for an adjustment. Also, regularly test your opener and safety sensors to make sure everything works, even in the cold. Freezing temperatures can be tough on electronic components.

5. Insulate for Energy Efficiency

An insulated garage door isn’t just about comfort; it helps prevent freeze-thaw damage. Insulation keeps the temperature inside your garage more stable, reducing the risk of ice buildup and saving you money on utility bills. If your door isn’t insulated, what are you even doing? I kid, I kid. But this is Canada, so you should really consider upgrading to insulated doors. There is literally no downside. Except for the downturn your utility bills will take.

6. Preventative Maintenance Is Key

DIY can only go so far; sometimes, you need a professional. Might I recommend that you book a seasonal tune-up with Align Doors? Our certified technicians will inspect, adjust, and lubricate your door, check for hidden issues, and make sure you’re ready for whatever fresh madness Alberta weather has in store for us. Regular maintenance means fewer surprises and a garage door you can count on (insert Count von Count joke here).

What to Do If Your Garage Door Freezes Shut

Whatever you do, don’t force it open! Forcing a frozen door can damage the opener, weather seal, or even the door itself. And if you did force it open, for Pete’s sake, don’t force it back closed again after reading this!

Here’s what you should do instead:

• Take a minute to be mad about it. It’s okay to be mad, it’s annoying. Do some breathing exercises, practise yoga, do a flip, I don’t know. Whatever helps balance your Chi.
• Now that we’re zen, carefully remove ice and snow from the base of the door. Try not to hit the door, or you might damage the weather stripping.
• Use a hair dryer or heat gun on low to melt ice along the seal (never use boiling water, because it can refreeze and crack surfaces). We want to remove moisture, not add more.
• Try a mix of rubbing alcohol and water to melt stubborn ice. If you don’t have any rubbing alcohol… tequila?
• If the door still won’t budge, call Align Doors for fast, friendly help. Again, don’t force it open. It’s like a tongue on a street pole, you don’t wanna open that can of worms.

Why Choose Align Doors & Maintenance Ltd.?

We’re your local garage door experts, serving Medicine Hat and Southern Alberta for over 30 years. Our team is reliable, skilled, and always happy to explain things in plain terms. Whether you need a quick fix, a full replacement, or just some honest advice, we’re here to help you “Chinook-proof” your garage door and keep your home safe all winter long.

Thanks for reading! I hope this guide was helpful. We wish you the best of luck out there during this wild weather. We’re always a phone call away if you find yourself in a pickle.

And if you’ve got a minute, go vote for us in the 2026 Best of Medicine Hat awards. We’ve been nominated again, and we are just so grateful for all the love and support we receive from this amazing community! We love you, Medicine Hat!