How to Open a Garage Door That's Frozen Shut

When you've got a morning commute to make, the last thing you need is a stuck garage door. Unfortunately, the harsh weather of winter can take a serious toll on your home. Take a look at a few of our smart ideas for un-sticking a frozen garage door:

Use a Little Elbow Grease

Grab your car's ice scraper and chip away at the ice that's keeping your door shut. Sometimes the solution is as simple as a little brute force to break the seal.

Employ a Portable Space Heater

Place a portable heater on the inside of your garage facing the door. You may need to move it around a bit over time to distribute the heat, but it should help melt and loosen the ice over time. Just don't leave it unattended!

Douse it in Hot Water

Heating some water on the stove and pour it over the icy trouble spots (but don't heat it to boiling, as you don't want to accidentally burn yourself). Remember to dry off your door afterward, as any remaining water may freeze up later on.

Adjust Your Door Opener's Settings

If your opener allows you to crank up the power, try adjusting the settings for a short period of added strength. If that's not enough to pull the door open, however, try something else to avoid wearing out the motor.

Try it the Old-Fashioned Way

Disconnect your automatic garage door opener (or pull the emergency release) and see if you can manually pull or jerk the door loose. This can save you the risk of overworking your automatic opener.

Use a Heat Gun or Hairdryer

Aim some heat directly at the offending ice with a heat gun or, failing that, a hairdryer. It might be somewhat slow-going, but it should eventually do the trick.

If you're looking for garage door services, contact the team at Town & Country Door today.